title: Characteristics and quality of autism websites.
abstract: The World Wide Web is a common method for obtaining information on autism spectrum disorders, however, there are no guidelines for finding websites with high quality. We conducted two studies examining the characteristics and/or quality of autism websites in 2009 and 2010. We found websites with a .gov top-level domain had a statistically significant association with high quality websites and websites offering a product or service and websites promoting a non-evidence-based practice had a statistically significant association with poor quality websites. Based on our work we concluded that online information should not replace the information consumers obtain from professionals. Further implications for practice, overview of study limitations and future directions are provided.
authors.affiliation: Yale Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, CT 06519, USA. brian.reichow@yale.edu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reichow
authors.forename: Jason I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Halpern
authors.forename: Timothy B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Steinhoff
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Letsinger
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naples
authors.forename: Fred R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Volkmar
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*