Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Content in Highly Viewed TikTok Videos

Background: Social media allows users to connect with others’ experiences and points of view, with TikTok being the fastest-growing platform worldwide. Highly viewed videos related to neurodiversity on TikTok have an increasing role in understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent individuals. However, little is known about the type of such highly viewed TikTok content, including how neurodivergent individuals depict themselves or are depicted by others. This study aimed to explore neurodivergent content within highly viewed TikTok videos using autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related hashtags. Methods: We identified publicly available videos (n = 500) using hashtags with high view counts (#autism, #actuallyautistic, #autismawareness, #autismacceptance, #audhd, #adhd, #adhdtiktok, #adhdcheck, #adhdawareness, #neurospicy; 50 selected per hashtag). We coded videos identified for feature extraction for engagement metrics, demographics, and type of included content, with 20% randomly selected for qualitative reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Most videos depicted creators with lived experience of ADHD and/or autism, with videos using ADHD hashtags most often from the perspective of individuals with ADHD and autism videos including a broader range of perspectives from autistic creators and loved ones (parents, siblings, partners). Most content shared personal experiences, often with humorous or self-deprecating overtures. We developed several themes: (1) lived neurodivergent experiences, (2) sensory differences and experiences, (3) family and relationships, and (4) portrayals of neurodivergence. Subthemes included invisible presentations of autism and ADHD, appreciation for community support and accommodations, sharing of strengths and challenges, and the impact of co-occurring conditions. Discussion: Engaging on social media can be a powerful medium to find and enhance feelings of connection with the autistic and ADHD communities, with various perspectives and experiences portrayed by creators using neurodiversity-related hashtags. Further research is needed to understand how users perceive or interpret such content, both within and outside the neurodivergent community.