Blessing or curse? The World Wide Web as information source for autism and Asperger Syndrome

Abstract

Blessing or curse? The World Wide Web as information source for autism and Asperger Syndrome Abstract. Objective: The World Wide Web is today one of the most common methods used for obtaining health-related information, though the quality of the information is sometimes questionable. The present study addresses the quality of the information source internet and the resulting implications and discusses examples related to autism spectrum disorder. Method: We systematically evaluated 96 German websites, with the aim of estimating specific characteristic features, reliability of publications, presentation of information as well as overall website quality. We also analyzed the clinical implications of the presentations. Results: Only 39 % of the websites provided references to scientifically well-founded information, whereas advertisements were found on 53 % of websites. The greatest percentage of false information (17 %) was disseminated concerning therapy. 75 % of the websites provided incomplete information. Only 10 % of websites discussed the impairment or familial burden. The quality of information was insufficient on 30 %, poor on 41 %, and good on only 6 % of the websites. Conclusions: Similar to results available for English-language websites, the quality of German websites providing health-related information can be considered low. Implications concerning confirmation bias, stigma, overidentification, in-group/outgroup, contrast and snowball effects are discussed.