Autism Spectrum Disorders Discourse on Social Media Platforms: A Topic Modeling Study of Reddit Posts

Abstract

Social media platforms play a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorders, by providing spaces for community interaction and content sharing. These platforms hold the potential to foster connections and support among autistic individuals while offering valuable insights into their personal experiences and diverse perspectives. However, knowledge is limited on autism-related content shared within Reddit, one of the most prominent social media outlets. In this study, we aimed to examine discussions and narratives shared on Reddit about autism, with the dual objectives of identifying the main topics of discussion and exploring the lived experiences of autistic individuals. To achieve this, we utilized state-of-the-art natural language processing techniques to perform a topic modeling analysis on 740,042 autism-related posts collected from Reddit. Converging themes emerged when comparing the largest and most general subreddit in the dataset (r/autism) with 15 additional autism-related subreddits. The most prominent topics of discussion included challenges in social relationships, behaviors such as stimming, and sensory sensitivities. Additional themes highlighted specific emotional experiences and practical concerns, such as managing a diagnosis, navigating intervention options, and coping with daily life. These findings were organized and discussed in relation to social communication differences and restricted, repetitive behaviors, which are frequently highlighted in discussions about autism. At the same time, we acknowledge the perspective of autistic communities, which view these traits as differences rather than deficits, with many challenges arising from societal expectations and the pressure to mask neurodivergent traits. Together, the results provide a comprehensive overview of the most common topics discussed within autism-related social media content and offer valuable insights into the lived experiences and motivations for social media engagement among autistic individuals.