ABSTRACT
The global prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing, including in Indonesia, where approximately 2.4 million individuals are affected. Families of children with ASD often experience social stigma, isolation, and discrimination, particularly those with limited resources. As Indonesia's most widely used social media platform, WhatsApp presents a promising avenue for social support and health communication. This study aims to explore the satisfaction levels of parents of autistic children within virtual communities. Employing a qualitative approach with a virtual ethnographic method, data were collected through eight months of participant observation (116,238 chat messages) and in-depth interviews with members of the “Anak Istimewa” virtual community. The findings reveal that virtual communities provide significant support across several dimensions: emotional (enthusiasm, empathy), informational (problem-solving, early expert intervention), social (reduced isolation, increased solidarity), and spiritual (emotional comfort through religious encouragement). This study highlights the potential of virtual communities to improve health and well-being, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Virtual communities can help reduce stigma, increase access to information and health education, and engage health experts to offer accurate and practical guidance, thereby enhancing support for families of children with ASD.
