The following questionnaire is designed to assist a Masters

degree student in Autistic Spectrum Disorders, in their study to

determine how internet blogging sites assist parents of children
diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder in understanding
the disorder and finding ways to cope with the pressures
associated with everyday life.
By signing below you are consenting to the information you
provide being used in this study. Complete confidentiality will be
upheld at all times and the database were your information will be
held will be password protected and destroyed after its use.

Signed:

Date:
 Questionnaire

1. Name: Sex: Male Female

2. D.O.B:

3. Country of Origin:

4. Occupation:

5. Marital Status:

6. No. of children:

7. No. of children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder:

8. How long have you been using internet blogging sites?

Less than a year 4-5 years

1-2 years 5-6 years

2-3 years 6+ years

9. What initially made you want to access internet blogging sites? Put an x in one or
more box.

Information To meet friends

Advice To share with others your experience

To meet other parents To find out about local autism events

Escapism

Other, please specify:

11. How frequently do you use internet blogging sites?

Everyday Once every 2-4 weeks

4-5 times a week Once every 1-3 months

2-3 times a week Once every 3-6 months

12. How many internet blogging sites about ASD do you use?

2-3

3-5

13. When did you begin to use internet blogging sites about ASD?

Before your child’s diagnosis

During the diagnosis process

After your child’s diagnosis

14. How far have internet blogging sites improved your knowledge about ASD?

Significantly improved

Slightly improved

Not really improved

Not improved at all

15. How far have internet blogging sites helped you personally with your child/
children with a diagnosis of ASD?

Significantly helped

Slightly helped

Not really helped

Not helped at all

16. How far have internet blogging sites provided you with any emotional support
you may have needed? This would include writing to other bloggers.

Significantly helped

Slightly helped

Not really helped

Not helped at all

17. How far have internet blogging sites provided you with any practical support you
may have needed? This would include information / advice other bloggers may have
written about ways they have worked with their child/children.

Significantly helped

Slightly helped

Not really helped

Not helped at all

18. Have internet blogging sites you have used provided you with any particular
advice about outside established agencies which provide support to children with
ASD and their parents?

Yes If you answered yes move to question 19.

No If you answered no move onto question 20.

19. Did you find the information provided useful?

Yes

No
20. Why do you feel you now access internet blogging sites about Autistic Spectrum
Disorders?

Information To meet friends

Advice To share with others your experience

To meet other parents To find out about local autism events

Escapism

Other, please specify:

21. Do you think you will ever cease from accessing internet blogging sites?

Yes If your answer is yes move onto question 22.

No If you answer is no, skip to the end.

22. Why might you stop using internet blogging sites about autism?

If you have any other comments or opinions to make about your use of internet
blogging sites about ASD then you are most welcome to add them in here:

The questionnaire is now complete. Thank you so much for your time and effort in
helping to assist my study. Please email as an attachment to pjohnston24@qub.ac.uk.