Computer-mediated communication in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders and controls

•We compare computer mediated communication by adults with autism with controls.•The autistic subjects use CMC at least as enthusiastically as controls.•They value slightly different aspects of CMC than controls.•They are as satisfied with their online social life as controls.•High levels of autistic traits plus high CMC use predict lower life satisfaction.

It has been suggested that people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are attracted to computer-mediated communication (CMC). In this study, we compare CMC use in adults with high-functioning ASD (N = 113) and a control group (N = 72). We find that people with ASD spend more time on CMC than controls, are more positive about CMC, and report relatively high levels of online social life satisfaction. However, CMC use is negatively related to satisfaction with life for people with ASD. Our results indicate that the ASD subjects in this study use CMC at least as enthusiastically and successfully as controls but that there may also be negative sides to its use.