ERIC Number: EJ1392247
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Oct
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: N/A
Understanding the Use of the Term "Weaponized Autism" in an Alt-Right Social Media Platform
Welch, Christie; Senman, Lili; Loftin, Rachel; Picciolini, Christian; Robison, John; Westphal, Alexander; Perry, Barbara; Nguyen, Jenny; Jachyra, Patrick; Stevenson, Suzanne; Aggarwal, Jai; Wijekoon, Sachindri; Baron-Cohen, Simon; Penner, Melanie
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v53 n10 p4035-4046 Oct 2023
Background: The term "weaponized autism" is frequently used on extremist platforms. To better understand this, we conducted a discourse analysis of posts on Gab, an alt-right social media platform. Methods: We analyzed 711 posts spanning 2018--2019 and filtered for variations on the term "weaponized autism". Results: This term is used mainly by non-autistic Gab users. It refers to exploitation of perceived talents and vulnerabilities of "Weaponized autists", described as all-powerful masters-of-technology who are devoid of social skills. The term "weaponized autism" is simultaneously glorified and derogatory. For some autistic people, the partial acceptance offered within this community may be preferable to lack of acceptance offered in society, which speaks to improving societal acceptance as a prevention effort.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Social Media, Technological Literacy, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Social Bias, Interpersonal Competence, Social Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A