Impact of IoT Technology and Social Networking Sites on Mothers, Teachers, and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Jordan

Research on the impact of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) on mothers and teachers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is limited, marking a unique intersection of computer science and psychology. This study explores whether SNSs facilitate communication between teachers, mothers, and ASD children for teaching social and daily life activities, and the impact of these interactions. IoT technology is introduced as a pivotal enhancement in this context. A model, reflecting participants’ preferences and experiences, includes four aspects: (1) Online ASD community engagement, enhanced by IoT-enabled secure and tailored communication platforms. (2) Diverse SNSs and technology preferences, with IoT providing adaptive interfaces for varied user needs. (3) The reduced stigma from ASD awareness, augmented by IoT’s data analytics for personalized support. (4) Positive effects of SNSs on ASD children’s social, behavioral, and academic development, further improved by IoT’s real-time monitoring and interaction capabilities. Questionnaires for 54 mothers and 52 teachers revealed that IoT-enhanced SNSs positively impact ASD community engagement, stigma reduction, and child development. This model suggests integrating IoT-enriched SNSs for rehabilitation and therapeutic purposes in ASD support environments and homes, offering effective and low-cost treatment options.