The complex information needs of Chinese parents of children with autism spectrum disorder
ISSN: 1468-4527
Article publication date: 19 October 2023
Issue publication date: 24 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the information needs of Chinese parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how these needs evolve as their children develop.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collated 17,122 questions regarding raising children with ASD via the Yi Lin website until November 2021.
Findings
The information needs of parents of children with ASD were classified into two categories: 1) Cognition-motivation: related to children with ASD; and 2) Affection-motivation: related to their parents. Child development causes the adaptation of information needs of these parents. Within the first three years, nine different topics of these parents' information needs were identified. Major information needs at this stage are as follows: intervention content, intervention methods and pre-diagnosis questions. During the ages of three to six years, there were 13 topics of information needs for parents, focusing on three areas: intervention content, intervention methods and diagnosis and examination. There are eight topics of information needs post six years. Parents are more concerned with the three topics of intervention content, life planning and intervention methods.
Originality/value
This novel study indicates the complex and changing information needs of parents of children with ASD in China. It may enhance the understanding of the information needs of these parents at theoretical and practical levels, provide support for them to understand their own information needs and provide a reference for relevant government and social organisations to provide targeted information services for them.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-04-2022-0247
Keywords
Citation
Han, Z., Zhong, H. and Hansen, P. (2024), "The complex information needs of Chinese parents of children with autism spectrum disorder", Online Information Review, Vol. 48 No. 3, pp. 601-618. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-04-2022-0247
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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