Investigating the use of social media technologies by adults with autism spectrum disorder in Saudi Arabia

People diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face difficulties in everyday life with their communication and interaction skills. Previous studies have shown that the use of social networks could be used by people with ASD to help them build connections and overcome their difficulties with social skills. However, most autism intervention research has involved young children in Western cultures. In Arab countries, adults on the autism spectrum experience the same difficulties in addition to dealing with other issues, such as stigma within society, a lack of services, cultural rules and the inability to sufficiently benefit from existing technologies designed according to the culture and language of Western countries. This study focuses on exploring and observing the use of social media by people with ASD (high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome) in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this research is to understand the role that technology plays in the lives of adults with ASD in Saudi Arabia, in order to make recommendations for research and practice. This research could also help future researchers to understand the needs and behaviours of Arab individuals with ASD towards social technologies, and it could be a leading research for the autism community in Arab countries