Children and adolescents with autism commonly struggle with social interactions. In particular, it has been found that children and adolescents with autism struggle with verbal irony in face-to-face interactions where there are many competing cues that require their attention (i.e., body language, facial expressions, intonation). This study made use of Bubble Dialogue (Cunningham et al., 1992), a form of computer-mediated communication, to examine how children and adolescents with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s syndrome (HFA/AS) comprehended verbal irony when these competing cues were removed from social interactions. Speaker attribute information has been shown to be beneficial in aiding typically developing children with successful verbal irony comprehension. In this study, participants with HFA/AS and matched typically developing participants were presented with Bubble Dialogue scenarios where speaker attribute was manipulated such that speakers were labelled as a peer, an adult, or without a speaker attribute label. Participants were presented with scenarios where the speaker made either an ironic criticism or a literal compliment in order to assess whether or not the information about the speaker influenced their comprehension and interpretation of speaker belief, speaker intent and speaker humour. Participants with HFA/AS provided responses along similar themes to their typically developing counterparts for both literal compliments and ironic criticisms in each speaker attribute condition. Participants with HFA/AS performed similarly to typically developing participants on their interpretations of speaker belief, speaker intent, and speaker humour. These findings suggest that, within the context of computer-mediated communication, children with HFA/AS are able to perform as well as typically developing participants on measures of verbal irony comprehension.

In South Africa basic education is a right for all children (Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996) and mainstream education for learners with so called mild disabilities such as High Functioning Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome (HFA / AS) is available according to government policy (White Paper 6, South African Department of Education, 2001b). The aim was to explore barriers to admission to mainstream primary school education for learners with HFA / AS. A mixed methods research design with two phases was used. Twenty-eight government primary schools in two circuits of a KZN school district completed a questionnaire; five parents of children with HFA / AS took part in a focus group discussion and an autoethnographic essay was written by the researcher. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Some schools and the majority of parents were unaware of the learners’ educational rights. Gaps in the implementation of policy exist, which contributed significantly to the barriers to admission for learners with HFA / AS. Main barriers were lack of knowledge and misconceptions about HFA / AS amongst school staff, lack of training for school staff, lack of government funding, lack of unity between parents and teachers/schools and negative attitudes towards inclusion of learners with HFA / AS. Suggested ways of overcoming the barriers to admission included small classes, class assistants or facilitators, improved unity and communication between parents and teachers and greater government support. With solutions addressed in the future, learners with HFA / AS can access suitable education in order to become contributing adults to society (Attwood, 2007). / Thesis (M.O.T.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2014.

Given the broad public health concern, lack of reliability of diagnosis across providers and substantial resources needed to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the current study serves to contribute to the field in informing the contexts of both research and clinical service. The utility of a standardized sensory-motor battery was investigated in regards to its ability (1) to determine what, if any, differences exist between ASD diagnoses or subgroups in both sensory functioning and motor functioning; and (2) to determine whether such discrepancies, if they exist, are capable of differentiating groups. Results from the quadratic discriminant analysis demonstrated that the factor scores derived from the Dean-Woodcock Sensory-Motor Battery significantly differentiated the ASD and nonclinical comparison groups. Factor 1 (Simple Sensory Skills) exhibited the strongest relationship, followed by Factor 2 (Cortical Motor and Complex Sensory Skills), then Factor 3 (Subcortical Motor Tasks and Auditory/Visual Acuity Skills). Findings from the study lend initial evidence of the use of the DWSMB as a potential measure to include within the two-stage diagnostic process for ASD. Use of the DWSMB as a screening measure may facilitate access to early intervention services given the primitive nature of sensory-motor tasks. In addition, the availability of the DWSMB as a standardized measure of sensory and motor functioning may promote increased sensitivity and specificity among diagnostic providers thus improving outcomes of individuals with ASD who can access services more readily with earlier, more reliable diagnoses. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Department of Educational Psychology

Children and adolescents with autism commonly struggle with social interactions. In particular, it has been found that children and adolescents with autism struggle with verbal irony in face-to-face interactions where there are many competing cues that require their attention (i.e., body language, facial expressions, intonation). This study made use of Bubble Dialogue (Cunningham et al., 1992), a form of computer-mediated communication, to examine how children and adolescents with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s syndrome (HFA/AS) comprehended verbal irony when these competing cues were removed from social interactions. Speaker attribute information has been shown to be beneficial in aiding typically developing children with successful verbal irony comprehension. In this study, participants with HFA/AS and matched typically developing participants were presented with Bubble Dialogue scenarios where speaker attribute was manipulated such that speakers were labelled as a peer, an adult, or without a speaker attribute label. Participants were presented with scenarios where the speaker made either an ironic criticism or a literal compliment in order to assess whether or not the information about the speaker influenced their comprehension and interpretation of speaker belief, speaker intent and speaker humour. Participants with HFA/AS provided responses along similar themes to their typically developing counterparts for both literal compliments and ironic criticisms in each speaker attribute condition. Participants with HFA/AS performed similarly to typically developing participants on their interpretations of speaker belief, speaker intent, and speaker humour. These findings suggest that, within the context of computer-mediated communication, children with HFA/AS are able to perform as well as typically developing participants on measures of verbal irony comprehension.

Although motor deficits are presumed to be common in Asperger Syndrome (AS), the causes and characteristics of these deficits are unknown. This study addressed whether one or more of several variables discussed in the literature on Developmental Coordination Disorder, such as timing deficits. motor planning, and visual perception of movement, could account for clumsiness in AS. There were 14 AS participants (7 to 23 years old), and an age and gender matched group of 16 normal controls with no group If differences. Participants completed tests of timing perception and production. motor planning, visual perception of static forms, random moving dot kinematograms, biological motion, and postural stability in a moving virtual reality environment. Participants with AS were more erratic in their timing production, though there were no differences in the mean inter-response intervals of the two groups. There were also no differences in the perception of rhythms or in reaction time in responding to the perception task. Timing deficits therefore appear to implicate the motor system more than a central timing mechanism, and could be consistent with dysfunction within the extrapyramidal system. There were no group differences on a motor planning task, which may relate to the demands of the task. Participants with AS were less able to perceive biological motion. appearing less sensitive to normal movements than the control group, and less stable in virtually moving rooms, especially at the initiation of movement. While social experience could account for deficits in human movement perception. it could not account for hypersensitivity to virtual movement, potentially implicating abnormalities in the dorsal visual stream. Each of these group differences (i.e., timing variability, perception of biological motion, and stability in a virtual environment) was correlated with severity of motor deficits, measured using a clinical examination. The study is the largest to directly examine the components of motor dysfunction in a group of children with AS and also extends the age range into older adolescence, suggesting that motor dysfunction does not improve significantly with maturation into adulthood. Although a single causal factor is unlikely to accurately characterize motor deficits in AS. it is possible that the visual deficits could be the result of the interaction of the visual and motor systems, and that they may be a symptom. rather than a cause of motor dysfunction.

Children with autism can have a variety of feeding challenges and there is a paucity of research on the strategies that are effective in addressing these challenges. This study used constructivist grounded theory methodology to determine the process used by mothers to feed their children with autism spectrum disorder. It included 11 mothers of 12 children between the ages of four and eleven years old who had feeding challenges. The feeding challenges went beyond picky eating and mothers used unique strategies and approaches in addressing these feeding challenges based on their beliefs. The data indicated that there is a need to use a deliberate, individualized approach when feeding children with ASD, based on the individual childs needs and the family beliefs. Achieving a Tenuous Balance emerged as the core process, as mothers attempted to maintain or improve their childs feeding amidst changing expectations, environments, and life events.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-52 ).

Thesis (D.Psych.) - University of Queensland, 2006. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Asperger Syndrome is a developmental disorder and is characterized by problems in social interaction. These problems make it difficult for the child with Asperger Syndrome to have normal relationships. This particular syndrome has an enormous impact on the development of the child in middle childhood. This study is directed by the premise that the relationship of the child with Asperger Syndrome in middle childhood with members of the peer group can be improved with the help of parents and teachers. Due to this fact, guidelines are provided. The lack of a good relationship with the peer group experienced by the child with Asperger Syndrome was formulated as the research problem. The aim of the study was to advance the relationship between the child with Asperger Syndrome in middle childhood and members of his peer group. In order to achieve this goal, qualitative research was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants. The data obtained was analyzed, verified against existing literature, and used to compile the guidelines. / Asperger Sindroom is 'n ontwikkeiingsteuring en word gekenmerk deur probleme in sosiale interaksie wat normale verhoudings vir die kind met Asperger Sindroom bemoeilik. Hierdie sindroom het 'n enorme impak op die ontwikkeling van die kind in die middelkinderjare. Hierdie studie is gerig deur die uitgangspunt dat die verhouding van die kind met Asperger Sindroom in die middelkinderjare met lede van die portuurgroep verbeter kan word met hulp van ouers en onderwysers. Daarom word riglyne in hierdie studie beskryf. Die gebrek aan gesonde verhoudinge met die portuurgroep wat deur die kind met Asperger Sindroom ervaar word is as navorsingsprobleem geformuleer. Die doel van studie was om die kind met Asperger Sindroom in die middelkinderjare se verhouding met die portuurgroep te bevorder. Ten einde hierdie doel te bereik, is die navorsingsproses deur kwantitatiewe navorsing gerig en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met deelnemers gevoer. Die data wat bekom is kon deur middel van data-analise en literatuurkontrole aangewend word om riglyne saam te stel. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)