Expressions during World Autism Awareness Week on Twitter
Published 2024-09-04
Keywords
- Autistic Disorder,
- Social Network,
- Public Policy,
- Social Inclusion
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2024 José Lucas Grigoleto Gama, Heloise Carrer de Lima, Andressa Oliveira, Natan David Pereira, Camila Harmuch
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Introduction
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that influences communication, social interaction, and behaviors. On social media, we find expressions ranging from information about ASD to personal accounts and discussions on inclusion.
Objective
To analyze the expressions of the Brazilian population on Twitter regarding autism.
Methods
This study is qualitative, descriptive, and based on document analysis. We collected data on the social media platform Twitter between April 3, 2023, and April 10, 2023, in Portuguese, encompassing the hashtags: #diamundialdeconscientizaçãodoautismo (#worldautismawarenessday) and #autistas (#autisticpeople). We analyzed 279 tweets using discursive textual analysis, from which two thematic axes emerged.
Results
The results indicate that the inclusion of people with ASD in cultural, sports, and labor market spaces is seen as crucial for promoting citizenship and social inclusion. However, challenges persist in implementing public policies, especially in education, health, and information dissemination, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach and respect for diversity.
Conclusion
Social media reflects a lack of progress in public policies and legislation to include people with ASD in various aspects of social life, such as education, health, and work, which are necessary to promote full citizenship. Despite advances in public policies, significant challenges remain in implementing these initiatives, requiring greater awareness and respect for this population.