Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis we describe the creation of an embodied conversational agent which exhibits the behavioural traits of a child who has Asperger Syndrome. The agent is rule-based, rather than arti cially intelligent, for which we give justi cation. We then describe the design and implementation of the agent, and pay particular attention to the interaction between emotion, personality and social context. A 3D demonstration program shows the typical output to conform to Asperger-like answers, with corresponding emotional responses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis beskryf ons die ontwerp en implementasie van 'n gestaltegespreksagent wat die gedrag van 'n kind met Asperger se sindroom uitbeeld. Ons regverdig die besluit dat die agent reël-gebaseerd is, eerder as 'n ware skynintelligensie implementasie. Volgende beskryf ons die wisselwerking tussen emosies, persoonlikheid en sosiale konteks en hoe dit inskakel by die ontwerp en implementasie van die agent. 'n 3D demonstrasieprogram toon tipiese ooreenstemmende Asperger-agtige antwoorde op vrae, met gepaardgaande emosionele reaksies.

The aim of this thesis is to find out chat forms of zoorehabilitation exists and how it can help to people with autism and thein families. The work begins with a brief definitiv of autism and its history. The FIFA charter is devoted to autism spektrum disorders, its influence on social relationships, communication, imagination, games and interests. The sixth charter deals with disorders of the autism spektrum. I describe each disorder separately, its characteristics, even if there are not fixed boundaries between different disordes. The seventh charter is devoted to the diagnosis of autism spektrum disorders, chat are the metod sof diagnosis. Next charter describers chat options do parents of these childern have in education. Following charter describes Civic associations, that arise and hepl parents of childern affected by autism and ether formo f disabilities. In the tenth and in the next five chapters are described different types zoorehabilitation, its origin and use in the Czech Republic. From the seventeenth charter starts the practical part where i described free different stories of families with a child who has one of the autism spektrum disorder. Every child has a different disorder and esch reacts differently to zootherapy, whether at home or specialized facility. From case reports, it...

Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome are entering institutions of higher education at an increasing rate. However, they may not be prepared to meet the academic and social demands of the postsecondary environment. Although studies have evaluated the impact of academic and social interventions for children and adolescents with Asperger’s Syndrome, little research has been conducted on the college population. The current study utilized a multiple baseline across participants design to evaluate the effectiveness of a writing learning strategy on the writing performance of three college students with Asperger’s Syndrome. Results indicated that the quality of the writing performance improved following strategy instruction. In addition, participants were able to generalize the use of the strategy to content specific writing tasks. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a existência de alterações visopercepto- motoras em pacientes com a síndrome de Asperger ou T.I.D. (Transtorno Invasivo do Desenvolvimento). Para tal, foi desenhado um estudo com dois grupos de trinta sujeitos do sexo masculino entre 12 e 30 anos. Trinta desses sujeitos com a síndrome de Asperger, diagnosticados através dos critérios do DSM-IV-TR, Escala de Traços Autístiscos (ATA), apresentando QS maior ou igual a 70 através das Escalas de Comportamento Adaptativo de Vineland. Os desempenhos nas escalas foram estatisticamente estudados e comparados com os resultados dos trinta sujeitos com desenvolvimento normal. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos às provas de Imitação de Gestos de Bèrges & Lèzine, Piaget-Head, Bender, prova de Cubos das escalas Wechsler e Escala social de Pelotas. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos aos testes relacionados de maneira padronizada. A escolha dos sujeitos e aplicação dos testes foi efetuada em escolas e centros clínicos especializados. As análises dos resultados demonstram diferenças significantes e déficit na organização perceptivo viso motora dos sujeitos com a síndrome de Asperger. A análise estatística por meio do t-independente, entre os dois grupos aponta para repostas discrepantes no grupo dos Aspergers com nível de significância (p0,05/0.05) evidenciando assim, melhor desempenho global em todas as escalas aplicadas nos sujeitos do grupo controle. A complexidade que envolve as noções de percepção espacial, motricidade e ação, bem como a lateralidade mostraram-se marcantes dificuldades na população estudada, sendo necessários novos estudos, prevenção, tratamento e orientações à família e escola / This study aimed to verify the existence of visual-perceptual-motor function changes in patients with Asperger syndrome or PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). To that objective, a study was developed with two groups of thirty male between 12 and 30 years old. Thirty of these people with Asperger\'s syndrome, were diagnosed by the DSM-IV-TR, Autistics Stroke Scale (ATA), with QS greater than or equal to 70 through the Adaptive Behavior Scales Vineland. The performance scales were statistically analyzed and compared with the results of thirty people with normal development. Both groups were tested for Imitation of gestures Bèrges & Lèzine, Piaget-Head, Bender, Cubes proof of Wechsler scales and Pelotas social scale. All people were tested in a standardized way. The choice of the people and tests application had been performed in specialized schools and clinical centers. Analyses of results showed significant differences and deficits in visual motor perceptual organization of individuals with Asperger syndrome.Statistical analysis by T-independent between the two groups points to the differing responses of the Aspergers group with significance (p 0.05 / 0.05), thus emphasizing the better overall performance on all scales applied in the control group.The complexities surrounding the notions of spatial perception and motor action as well as the handedness proved remarkable difficulties in the population studied, being necessary new studies, prevention, treatment and guidance to family and school

The theoretical part of the thesis is a description of educating of the gifted child with Asperger's syndrome in the context of psychological and institutional educational support led by experts. The theoretical part is the starting point for the research part of the thesis which aims to find out how to improve the educating of the gifted child with Asperger's syndrome in ordinary primary schools. The selected method of mixed research is Action Teaching Research in other research methods: observation, interviewing, analysis of the final work and analysis of personal documentation. KEYWORDS Talent, gifted pupil identification, Asperger's syndrome, forms and methods of work, a pedagogical support plan, family

The prevalence of autism in the United States is 1 in 68 children. African American children are less likely to receive advance testing to confirm the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome (AS) compared to other ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to determine if demographic factors (parental education level, family annual income, marital status of custodial parent(s), parent ethnicity, number of children in home, other children with disability, family location, mother age at time of birth, gender of child, birth status of child, adoption status and age, child order, and other disability) have any predictive relationship to AS diagnosis among African American children in the Washington Metropolitan area. A quantitative correlational study of a cross-sectional nature was conducted using a survey to collect data from parents of children age 3-16 (n= 187) who may or may not have a confirmed autism diagnosis. Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory provided an understanding of how environmental factors may be related to a diagnosis of AS. Chi-square analyses were conducted and statistically significant higher frequencies of diagnosis were found in parents with no other child with a disability, later born children, and parents who have been married. Logistic regressions analysis resulted in parental marital status being found to be a statistically significant predictor of a child having an official AS diagnosis. There is a critical need to train health care professionals working in underserved communities where minority groups may reside about AS. Results from this study may provide information to develop policies, community-based services, and programs that ensure that children can receive an accurate AS diagnosis regardless of factors such as race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

Abstract not available

This research identifies, and respond to, the particular challenges of teaching social skills to children with autistic characteristics, specifically in this case Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). For most children the process of understanding and developing non-verbal communication begins early in childhood. For children with AS this is not the case and non-verbal communication needs to be taught to them. This project provides support for the educators of children who require assistance in the social skills area. This has been achieved with a structured interactive computer prototype. This prototype has been designed with consideration for the unique cognitive attributes and sensory issues that AS individuals encounter. A visual language has been used to identify the routine of an everyday event, and to introduce the concept of change within this routine. The result provides these individuals with the most productive environment for learning.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a existência de alterações visopercepto- motoras em pacientes com a síndrome de Asperger ou T.I.D. (Transtorno Invasivo do Desenvolvimento). Para tal, foi desenhado um estudo com dois grupos de trinta sujeitos do sexo masculino entre 12 e 30 anos. Trinta desses sujeitos com a síndrome de Asperger, diagnosticados através dos critérios do DSM-IV-TR, Escala de Traços Autístiscos (ATA), apresentando QS maior ou igual a 70 através das Escalas de Comportamento Adaptativo de Vineland. Os desempenhos nas escalas foram estatisticamente estudados e comparados com os resultados dos trinta sujeitos com desenvolvimento normal. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos às provas de Imitação de Gestos de Bèrges & Lèzine, Piaget-Head, Bender, prova de Cubos das escalas Wechsler e Escala social de Pelotas. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos aos testes relacionados de maneira padronizada. A escolha dos sujeitos e aplicação dos testes foi efetuada em escolas e centros clínicos especializados. As análises dos resultados demonstram diferenças significantes e déficit na organização perceptivo viso motora dos sujeitos com a síndrome de Asperger. A análise estatística por meio do t-independente, entre os dois grupos aponta para repostas discrepantes no grupo dos Aspergers com nível de significância (p0,05/0.05) evidenciando assim, melhor desempenho global em todas as escalas aplicadas nos sujeitos do grupo controle. A complexidade que envolve as noções de percepção espacial, motricidade e ação, bem como a lateralidade mostraram-se marcantes dificuldades na população estudada, sendo necessários novos estudos, prevenção, tratamento e orientações à família e escola / This study aimed to verify the existence of visual-perceptual-motor function changes in patients with Asperger syndrome or PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). To that objective, a study was developed with two groups of thirty male between 12 and 30 years old. Thirty of these people with Asperger\'s syndrome, were diagnosed by the DSM-IV-TR, Autistics Stroke Scale (ATA), with QS greater than or equal to 70 through the Adaptive Behavior Scales Vineland. The performance scales were statistically analyzed and compared with the results of thirty people with normal development. Both groups were tested for Imitation of gestures Bèrges & Lèzine, Piaget-Head, Bender, Cubes proof of Wechsler scales and Pelotas social scale. All people were tested in a standardized way. The choice of the people and tests application had been performed in specialized schools and clinical centers. Analyses of results showed significant differences and deficits in visual motor perceptual organization of individuals with Asperger syndrome.Statistical analysis by T-independent between the two groups points to the differing responses of the Aspergers group with significance (p 0.05 / 0.05), thus emphasizing the better overall performance on all scales applied in the control group.The complexities surrounding the notions of spatial perception and motor action as well as the handedness proved remarkable difficulties in the population studied, being necessary new studies, prevention, treatment and guidance to family and school

Syftet med denna studie har varit att belysa hur personal som arbetar nära unga vuxna med en diagnos av Aspergers syndrom upplever att gruppens delaktighet i samhället ser ut. Vidare har vi undersökt vilka eventuella möjligheter och hinder som personalen anser att personer i denna grupp möter när de deltar i samhället samt hur personalen ser på framtiden för unga vuxna med en diagnos av Aspergers syndrom i relation till delaktighet i samhället. Studien har en kvalitativ ansats och är fenomenologisk. Empirin består av sex intervjuer med personal inom socialtjänsten och i olika verksamheter inom LSS på uppdrag av socialtjänsten. De transkriberade intervjuerna har analyserat med hjälp av innehållsanalys. Våra resultat visar att unga vuxna med en diagnos av Aspergers syndrom inte har full delaktighet i samhället, vilket har resulterat i utanförskap för denna grupp. Det framkommer även att det är samhällets 'normalbild' som skapar diskriminering och förtryck för människor med olika funktionsvariationer och att det sker till den grad att deras styrkor delvis förbises. Våra resultat visar också att även då unga vuxna med en diagnos av Aspergers syndrom är stigmatiserade så pågår ett synliggörande som kan ge en positiv effekt på gruppens delaktighet i samhället. / The purpose of this study has been to illustrate how staff working closely with young adults with a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome experience the group's participation in society. Furthermore, we have investigated what potential opportunities and obstacles that the staff consider that people in this group meet when they participate in society and how the staff view the future of young adults with Asperger's syndrome in relation to participation in society. We have had a qualitative phenomenological approach to our study. Field data consists of six interviews with staff working closely with the group, within the social service and in various LSS functions on behalf of social services. The transcribed interviews have been analyzed using a content analysis. Our results show that young adults with Asperger's syndrome experience insufficient participation in society, which has resulted in exclusion. It also appears that society's 'normal image' creates discrimination and oppression for people with different functional variations to the extent that their strengths are partially overlooked. Our results also show that even though young adults with a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome are stigmatized there is an ongoing visualization that can have a positive effect on the groups participation in society.