Characteristics and Quality of Autism Websites

Abstract

The World Wide Web is a common method for obtaining information on autism spectrum disorders, however, there are no guidelines for finding websites with high quality. We conducted two studies examining the characteristics and/or quality of autism websites in 2009 and 2010. We found websites with a .gov top-level domain had a statistically significant association with high quality websites and websites offering a product or service and websites promoting a non-evidence-based practice had a statistically significant association with poor quality websites. Based on our work we concluded that online information should not replace the information consumers obtain from professionals. Further implications for practice, overview of study limitations and future directions are provided.

Intervention decision‐making processes and information preferences of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders

“…The findings of this study support what is currently understood about what sources of information parents access in order to make treatment choices (Carlon et al ; Lipstein ; Valentine ; Green et al ;). Parents in the current study frequently accessed the Internet for information, which is consistent with findings from previous studies (Bowker et al ; Mackintosh ; Reichow et al ; Valentine ).…”

Evaluation of Autism‐Related Health Information on the Web

“…After identifying a gap in the literature on this topic, two studies of autism‐related websites were conducted in 2009 and 2010 (Reichow et al . ). The first evaluated characteristics of the top 100 websites selected by entering the keyword ‘autism’ into three popular search engines.…”

Handbook of Early Childhood Special Education

“…We now live in an age in time in which information is readily available 24/7, and people are increasingly turning to and relying on the Internet, mainly the World Wide Web, for information on a variety of topics including healthcare (Fox & Duggan, 2013 ;Wainstein, Sterling-Levis, Baker, Taitz, & Brydon, 2006 ). While the vast amount of information that is available online provides an excellent opportunity for consumers to increase their knowledge and participation in the EBP process, concerns about the quality of information and the ability of caregivers and practitioners to locate relevant, high-quality information is a concern (c.f., Reichow et al, 2012 ;Reichow, Shefcyk, & Bruder, 2013 ). Given the increasing use of the Internet by practitioners and families as information sources, it is time that advocates of EBP begin to devise ways to best harness this medium for good use.…”