UC Santa Cruz

This dissertation highlights social media as digitally-mediated support for neurodivergent individuals, countering alarmist narratives of these platforms. Social networks have been criticized for their assumed role in addiction to technology, the spread of misinformation, and its impact on mental health. However, by adopting a critical disability theory lens, I critique the techno-solutionism around mental health care and focus on the lived experiences shared within neurodivergent social media communities. Existing social media platforms can provide community support situated within daily use for neurodivergent individuals to step away from the individualistic approaches currently promoted by much digital mental health technology. These social media-based communities are providing an important service of care and collective knowledge for individuals going through similar experiences to find validation and a sense of agency regarding diagnostic and support options. Social media platforms have democratized the dissemination of information about ADHD, allowing individuals with lived experience to contribute to the conversation and push back against stereotypical misconceptions about the community. The friendly and accessible format in which social media content is presented helps empower individuals in their personal journeys and provides important education. This research further explores the relationships neurodivergent individuals have had with diagnostic and care systems, as well as ongoing tensions with healthcare providers in both physical and digital spaces. By adopting the Neurodiversity Paradigm in HCI and healthcare, we will be better able to support neurodivergent communities.