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Introduction
This study explores the emotional and thematic patterns in online discussions about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Data was extracted from two prominent forums, Wrong Planet and Autism Forums, to address the research objectives: identifying predominant sentiments (positive, negative, neutral) related to social challenges and categorizing topics into clusters through network analysis. This study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the lived experiences and concerns of individuals with ASD and their families, highlighting thematic trends and emotional tones.
Method
The dataset underwent preprocessing to ensure consistency and quality. Sentiment analysis, conducted using TextBlob, classified messages based on polarity scores. Positive, negative, and neutral sentiments were identified, and word cloud visualizations captured the semantic features of each category. For thematic analysis, a cluster-based network approach was implemented. Keywords were extracted using n-grams and mapped into a co-occurrence matrix, which formed the basis for network graph construction. Clustering algorithms and centrality measures identified distinct communities and key terms, providing insights into thematic relationships and discourse structure.
Results
Sentiment analysis revealed variations across themes such as Parenting & Family Dynamics (68.48% positive sentiment) and Social Challenges (33.54% negative sentiment). Positive messages often highlighted resilience and effective coping mechanisms, while negative ones reflected frustrations related to societal perceptions and sensory issues. Network analysis identified ten thematic clusters, including “Parental Concerns and Autism Support” and “Personal Experiences of ASD Individuals.” Each cluster revealed unique thematic focuses, with high centrality keywords acting as connectors between topics. Community-level insights emphasized the diversity of discussions, from practical challenges to broader social identity issues.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the value of combining sentiment and network analysis to map autism-related discourse. Positive sentiments underscore themes of support and empowerment, while negative sentiments highlight areas of struggle, such as social isolation and sensory difficulties. The thematic clusters provide a nuanced understanding of community-specific concerns and connections. These findings inform stakeholders, offering actionable insights for developing policies, support systems, and interventions that address the multifaceted experiences of the autism community. This study establishes a methodological framework for analyzing online narratives, paving the way for further research into autism discourse.