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UNDERSTANDING SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN THROUGH A WHATSAPP GROUP

Smartphones have allowed people to communicate actively in the 21st century through social media. One is WhatsApp. It has provided opportunities for social groups to be in existence and consequently let ones share information and offer support. This study aimed to understand the support parents of autistic children offered to each other through a WhatsApp Group, SPARISK Support Group, that was created specifically for those who enrolled their children in a water therapy programme in Malaysia. It provided a platform for these parents to hold various discussions on caring for their autistic children. This qualitative study found that there were five types of support that parents offered among themselves: (a) types of food suitable for their children to increase concentration and combat impulsiveness; (b) relating positive behaviours of their children while undergoing the water therapy programme; (c) having the presence of professionally trained water therapy coaches; (d) informational support and (e) emotional support.