Separate forum/community for autistic adults ?

Hi Bob,

I agree with 'Longman' in that this forum appears to be largely used by people seeking advice regarding often complex issues which are rarely, if ever (at least in my experience) discussed anywhere else. These people appear unassuming and, I believe, genuinely feel that this is their best hope at recieving a useful answer.

The real question is "What is the NAS' view of the purpose and future of these forums?". You must ask yourselves the following questions:

- How does the public (or at least general visitors to these forums) view the forums?
    - does this view match the NAS' view
    - Should the public's view change or does the NAS need to review?
- What is their experience of the forums (i.e. do they get what they visited for)?
    - How do we facilitate this if they do not get what the want?
    - Do they want what they actually need?
    - How do we promote them getting what they need?
- Do we want to retain them:
    - What is the general post count for new users?
    - How can we retain users?
    - Do we want to retain users (for example; would this increase forum costs (negative), increase the forum's profile (positive) or be used to increase the forum revenue (positive)?
- Does the user experience and/or user retention meet the NAS' requirements or vision for the forums?

As an example: if the forum is used (and you wish it to be used) as a 'go-to' site for those with ASD or those supporting them and answering their questions, would it be useful to have NAS staff dedicated to providing answers or guiding discussion?


To give my opinions to the proposed questions directly:

1). Either the site guides it's community or the community guides the site. Internet discussion board popularity waxes and wains over time, but you must decide first what values the site has been founded on and how these could attract and maintain community/user base (if one is wanted/needed).

2). The NAS should not see this as just 'another' online community/forum. It should attempt to give it a purpose or goal.

3). No, regardless of the final decision a dedicated moderation team will be required to ensure that the forum does not either disintigrate or become filled with advertising. Where community moderation is to occur, there must be both safeguards and (more likely) some form of incentive to retain them.

4). In addition to the above, who, for example, would be permitted to post in an 'under 18s' forum (i.e. would under 18s giving advice to under 18s be a desirable outcome)?


I think I've sidestepped what you were actually asking here, but I hope the above is of interest.

Hi Bob,

I agree with 'Longman' in that this forum appears to be largely used by people seeking advice regarding often complex issues which are rarely, if ever (at least in my experience) discussed anywhere else. These people appear unassuming and, I believe, genuinely feel that this is their best hope at recieving a useful answer.

The real question is "What is the NAS' view of the purpose and future of these forums?". You must ask yourselves the following questions:

- How does the public (or at least general visitors to these forums) view the forums?
    - does this view match the NAS' view
    - Should the public's view change or does the NAS need to review?
- What is their experience of the forums (i.e. do they get what they visited for)?
    - How do we facilitate this if they do not get what the want?
    - Do they want what they actually need?
    - How do we promote them getting what they need?
- Do we want to retain them:
    - What is the general post count for new users?
    - How can we retain users?
    - Do we want to retain users (for example; would this increase forum costs (negative), increase the forum's profile (positive) or be used to increase the forum revenue (positive)?
- Does the user experience and/or user retention meet the NAS' requirements or vision for the forums?

As an example: if the forum is used (and you wish it to be used) as a 'go-to' site for those with ASD or those supporting them and answering their questions, would it be useful to have NAS staff dedicated to providing answers or guiding discussion?


To give my opinions to the proposed questions directly:

1). Either the site guides it's community or the community guides the site. Internet discussion board popularity waxes and wains over time, but you must decide first what values the site has been founded on and how these could attract and maintain community/user base (if one is wanted/needed).

2). The NAS should not see this as just 'another' online community/forum. It should attempt to give it a purpose or goal.

3). No, regardless of the final decision a dedicated moderation team will be required to ensure that the forum does not either disintigrate or become filled with advertising. Where community moderation is to occur, there must be both safeguards and (more likely) some form of incentive to retain them.

4). In addition to the above, who, for example, would be permitted to post in an 'under 18s' forum (i.e. would under 18s giving advice to under 18s be a desirable outcome)?


I think I've sidestepped what you were actually asking here, but I hope the above is of interest.