title: Evaluation of Autism-Related Health Information on the Web.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Internet is a frequently accessed source of information for parents of a child with autism. To help parents make informed decisions about treatment options, websites should contain accurate information. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of information in a sample of autism-relevant websites.
  
  
  METHODS
  Autism-related keywords were entered into three widely used search engines in April 2013 and the 20 most frequently appearing sites identified. Website quality was rated, by two independent raters, using the DISCERN tool. Websites were also coded according to the type of references/sources provided to support the intervention content presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean DISCERN score was 46.5 (range 23-67.5), of a possible 80. Information about treatment risks and no treatment as an option was rarely described. Only six (30%) websites provided research references when describing intervention options.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many websites did not meet criteria for quality health information and failed to cite evidence supporting described interventions. Implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodger
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.|Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder; D003657:Decision Making; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010290:Parents
keywords: DISCERN; World Wide Web; autism interventions; autism spectrum disorder; decision making; website quality