Quality and Reliability of YouTube Videos as a Source of Information Regarding Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10803-026-07601-z
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOSIS, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Education Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO), Sociology Database (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Autism spectrum disorder, Early signs, Quality assessment, YouTube
- Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: YouTube is a widely used source of health information, but the quality of videos on early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unclear. Methods: A cross-sectional content analysis of 50 English-language YouTube videos on early signs of ASD was conducted. Video quality and reliability were assessed using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), modified DISCERN, and JAMA benchmark criteria. Source Videos were categorized by source (Expert-created, parent-created, and mixed-source). Results: Expert-created and mixed-source videos scored significantly higher than parent-created videos on the modified DISCERN and GQS scales (p <.001 for both). On the JAMA criteria, the overall group difference was smaller (p =.028); only the mixed-source group differed significantly from the parent-created group, while expert-created videos did not differ significantly from either group. Most videos (74%) covered all four early symptom domains. No significant correlation was found between quality scores and popularity metrics (views, likes). The three source types did not differ significantly in the number of early-sign domains covered (H(2) = 2.628, p =.269). Effect sizes were large for DISCERN (ε² = 0.424) and GQS (ε² = 0.511). Conclusions: YouTube videos on early signs of ASD vary widely in quality. Parent-created content is significantly less reliable. Clinicians and content developers should consider that expert-created, parent-created, and mixed-source videos serve complementary informational functions rather than a single hierarchy of quality. Co-produced content that combines professional expertise with parental narrative may offer practical value beyond what either source provides alone.