Media Image of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Created by Their Blogging Parents

Abstract

The paper discusses how children with some autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) are portrayed by their parents. In the first part we present autism and Asperger syndrome as medical cases, provide the definitions, characteristics and methods of therapy. Next, we analyze the media images of people with disabilities, including the stereotypic features emphasized in the media. Finally, we present the results of the study. The primary research problem refers
to the question: What is the image of children with ASD that is created by the posts and memories on blogs written by their parents? The research is mostly qualitative. We applied an analysis of existing documents (internet diaries), which belong to a wider category of network ethnography (netnography). The analysis was conducted on 15 blogs. The results reveal that the actual image of a child with ASD is significantly different from a stereotypic images presented in the media. Blogs written by parents do not follow the stereotypes, and they rather focus on distinctive features and autonomy of the child. They mostly portray the children in context of hurdling various impediments and succeeding in small and larger matters, or outline their personal features and uniqueness. Therapies and treatments are considered as a means for realizing the dreams and plans of the child. Sometimes, autism is set in the background, as a part of everyday reality, which is not the object of the blog, but merely an intrinsic part of life. Children with ASD are usually portrayed in line with the common, scientifically documented features specific for similar disorders. Blogging parents appear to have considerable knowledge on ASD and describe their children from that perspective.