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Connection: Assisting Neurodiverse Individuals in Forming Lasting Relationships Through a Digital Medium

Published: 24 October 2019 Publication History

Abstract

Many neurodiverse individuals experience isolation in adult life with a significant percentage reporting never engaging in long term romantic relationships. Such social isolation can result in critical behavioral and mental health problems such as anxiety, addiction, and depression. Online socialization platforms can aid in relationship building as they are void of many complexities present in face-to-face communication. We conducted an exploratory study (N=10) with neurodiverse and neurotypical young adults to investigate how to design online socialization platforms that enables creating and maintaining lasting relationships, especially for neurodiverse individuals. We focused on understanding their experiences surrounding online socialization platforms, challenges in using them, and unmet needs. To elicit requirements, we designed a prototype socialization platform, Connection. Our findings reveal that there is indeed a great desire for such platforms among neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals.

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  • (2025)Exploring Large Language Models Through a Neurodivergent Lens: Use, Challenges, Community-Driven Workarounds, and ConcernsProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/37011949:1(1-28)Online publication date: 10-Jan-2025
  • (2023)Understanding Autistic Adults' Use of Social MediaProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36100487:CSCW2(1-23)Online publication date: 4-Oct-2023
  • (2023)An Autoethnographic Case Study of Generative Artificial Intelligence's Utility for AccessibilityProceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility10.1145/3597638.3614548(1-8)Online publication date: 22-Oct-2023
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cover image ACM Conferences
ASSETS '19: Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility
October 2019
730 pages
ISBN:9781450366762
DOI:10.1145/3308561
Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the Owner/Author.

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Publication History

Published: 24 October 2019

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Author Tags

  1. autism spectrum disorder (asd)
  2. neurodiverse
  3. neurotypical
  4. relationships.
  5. social media

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ASSETS '19 Paper Acceptance Rate 41 of 158 submissions, 26%;
Overall Acceptance Rate 436 of 1,556 submissions, 28%

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ASSETS '25

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Cited By

View all
  • (2025)Exploring Large Language Models Through a Neurodivergent Lens: Use, Challenges, Community-Driven Workarounds, and ConcernsProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/37011949:1(1-28)Online publication date: 10-Jan-2025
  • (2023)Understanding Autistic Adults' Use of Social MediaProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36100487:CSCW2(1-23)Online publication date: 4-Oct-2023
  • (2023)An Autoethnographic Case Study of Generative Artificial Intelligence's Utility for AccessibilityProceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility10.1145/3597638.3614548(1-8)Online publication date: 22-Oct-2023
  • (2023)Understanding Noise Sensitivity through Interactions in Two Online Autism ForumsProceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility10.1145/3597638.3608413(1-12)Online publication date: 22-Oct-2023
  • (2020)We Need More Power to Stand UpProceedings of the 2020 International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development10.1145/3392561.3394643(1-12)Online publication date: 17-Jun-2020

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