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Exploring the impact of autism and gender in online fan communities
Schmitt, Meghan
Schmitt, Meghan
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Schmitt_2025.pdf
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2025-04-11
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Schmitt, M. 2025. Exploring the impact of autism and gender in online fan communities. -- In Proceedings: 21st Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study explores the relationship between autism, gender, and engagement with online fan communities and fan-created transformative works. Deficits associated with autism in the areas of social communication, imagination, and narrative skills (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) have the potential to limit participation in fan communities. However, some have argued that elements of these communities may play to autistic individuals' strengths while removing barriers to social interaction and creative expression (Browning & Veit, 2022; Peeples et al., 2018). This interaction may be influenced by gender differences in autism (Boorse et al., 2019; Mazurek et al., 2012; McFayden et al., 2019). Very little research has investigated autistic individuals' participation in online fan communities and none has investigated the role of gender.
PURPOSE: This study takes the first step towards filling that gap by exploring how autistic and non-autistic people of multiple genders engage with online fan communities.
METHODS: This study utilized a survey that was distributed across multiple fandom platforms. Responses (N = 149, age 18-71, M = 28.55, SD = 8.08) included demographic characteristics, diagnosis, and participation in fan activities.
RESULTS: A chi-square test of independence revealed no significant difference in gender or sex distribution by autism diagnostic status in online fan communities, with females most prevalent across all diagnostic groups. Two-way MANOVA revealed no significant effect of diagnostic status or gender on participation in creative, analytical, narrative, or interactive activities. Two-way repeated measures MANOVA revealed significantly greater preferences for system-oriented genres in original fiction and significantly greater preferences for character-oriented and transformative genres in fanfiction across all diagnostic groups and genders.
CONCLUSION: In online fan communities, autistic people do not show reduced social engagement, creativity, or literacy, or avoidance of social cognition, fiction, or imagination. Findings may offer clinicians and educators new strength- and interest-based avenues for facilitating literacy, communication, and social skill development.
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Presented to the 21st Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 11, 2025.
Research completed in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health Professions.
Research completed in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health Professions.
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Wichita State University
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GRASP
v. 21
v. 21