The aim of this thesis was to examine linguistic and social processing in autism and Asperger syndrome (AS), through computer-mediated communication. The first investigation used conversational analysis, on a corpus of computer-mediated dialogue, generated by two adults with AS. The results revealed that one of the two individuals had problems asking questions. Hence, an inability to ask questions may be one aspect of AS communication, though it may be not universal in this population. The second study used a computer program called Bubble Dialogue (Gray, Creighton, McMahon & Cunningham, 1991) to investigate the working understanding of nonliteral language and responses to inappropriate requests in individuals with AS and high-functioning autism (HFA). The AS/HFA group showed poorer understanding of a figure of speech and were more likely to consent to socially inappropriate requests compared to their typically developing peers. In contrast, understanding of sarcasm was predicted neither by verbal ability, executive ability nor clinical diagnosis. The results suggest that having AS/HFA does not, a priori, dispose someone to having problems with communication and socialisation, and that verbal ability protects the individual to a certain extent. Additionally, executive ability also seems important in mediating socialisation and communication ability. The third experiment tested the hypothesis that an autistic preference for internet-based communication may be due to the absence of verbal and non verbal cues, physical distance, and slower rate of information exchange through that medium. To test this, participants worked out predetermined map routes by asking the experimenter closed questions either via text chat, or through telephone conversations. An initial examination of the results suggested that AS performance may in fact have been better via the telephone. However, a detailed look at the strategies employed by some individuals with AS suggests that their executive problems may have resulted in their use of a less than systematic way to solve the task in both media. The results of this study also indicate a relation between executive and mentalising ability because both are required to solve the task. Interestingly, many of the participants with AS could generate novel closed questions to successfully solve the map task in both media, though they were slower than controls. Using computer mediated communication has therefore given us greater detail into the nature of, and the factors that influence, communication in autism.

A qualitative case study research design is used to investigate the results of a neuropsychological test battery, collated and used with four individual cases. A literature study consisting of research with respect to AS as well as neuropsychological assessments provides the theoretical framework from which existing theory is tested and expanded on. The cases are analysed individually and then by cross case analysis to ascertain any patterns of strength and weaknesses which could result in a "typical" profile of a learner with AS. Findings conclude confusions with respect to diagnostic criteria for AS and a distinction of DSM-IV-TR criteria is used. The neuropsychological test battery includes questionnaires (personal history, Gilliam Asperger's disorder scale, Conners' parent and teacher questionnaire, Dunn's sensory profile) interviews (parents, teachers), observations (classroom and playground) and formal testing (intelligence, motor functions, academic achievement, theory of mind and executive functions). Findings from the literature show similarities between AS children and children with non verbal learning disabilities. Evidence of AS differing from individuals with high functioning autism is conclusive in all previous research using theory of mind tests. Evidence from the literature shows many children had been given another diagnosis, typically ADHD, before being given the diagnosis of AS. Additional disorders such as anxiety and depression were also given. AS children had consistent difficulties with social interaction. A typical neuropsychological profile of AS is not identified, but rather a "personality type" that is dominated by anxiety and individual "quirks" of personality which affects responses to the formal test battery - thereby influencing the scores obtained. Two of the cases presented with an academic profile similar to that of a non verbal learning disability and one presented with similarities with a semantic pragmatic disorder. The thesis concludes with a proposed differentiating model of behavioural, communication and learning disorders in which AS is defined in terms of that originally described by Hans Asperger himself, and specifically treated within the education environment. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Psychology of Education)

A qualitative case study research design is used to investigate the results of a neuropsychological test battery, collated and used with four individual cases. A literature study consisting of research with respect to AS as well as neuropsychological assessments provides the theoretical framework from which existing theory is tested and expanded on. The cases are analysed individually and then by cross case analysis to ascertain any patterns of strength and weaknesses which could result in a "typical" profile of a learner with AS. Findings conclude confusions with respect to diagnostic criteria for AS and a distinction of DSM-IV-TR criteria is used. The neuropsychological test battery includes questionnaires (personal history, Gilliam Asperger's disorder scale, Conners' parent and teacher questionnaire, Dunn's sensory profile) interviews (parents, teachers), observations (classroom and playground) and formal testing (intelligence, motor functions, academic achievement, theory of mind and executive functions). Findings from the literature show similarities between AS children and children with non verbal learning disabilities. Evidence of AS differing from individuals with high functioning autism is conclusive in all previous research using theory of mind tests. Evidence from the literature shows many children had been given another diagnosis, typically ADHD, before being given the diagnosis of AS. Additional disorders such as anxiety and depression were also given. AS children had consistent difficulties with social interaction. A typical neuropsychological profile of AS is not identified, but rather a "personality type" that is dominated by anxiety and individual "quirks" of personality which affects responses to the formal test battery - thereby influencing the scores obtained. Two of the cases presented with an academic profile similar to that of a non verbal learning disability and one presented with similarities with a semantic pragmatic disorder. The thesis concludes with a proposed differentiating model of behavioural, communication and learning disorders in which AS is defined in terms of that originally described by Hans Asperger himself, and specifically treated within the education environment. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Psychology of Education)