Title:
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Theoretical and visual appraisal of behavioural symptoms of the Asperger's Child
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This thesis explores how we as neurotypicals, people who have normal neurological
development, might re-perceive every-day tasks and objectives, when faced with a
neurodiverse perspective that can contradict neurotypical developments. The term
neurodiversity mostly appears within the online autistic community. How Autistic
Spectrum Children are able to avoid, deal with or utilise alternative strategies for
communication and development is visualised through a series of practical projects.
The visualisation of difference informs theoretical and scientific material through
narrative illustration. Narration is here considered part of the ubiquitous component of
human communication.
The ability to process linguistic information and social cueing is observed through
verbal communication, body language and social and formal interaction between each
other. This prompts reaction, tolerance and an appropriation of cueing and
reciprocation. Neurodiversity is, as in any typical neurological development, a human
difference that should be tolerated and respected as any other human difference.
Acceptance of difference is key to the topics and issues held in the practical work
produced in this submission.
Semiotic meaning is used in the practical works as part of a general communicative
discourse, combining image, codes, signs and symbols that exhibit different modalities
that are presented to and decoded by the viewer. Visualy based enquiry allows
investigation into the communication difficulties between the Asperger's children and
the people that surround them, namely parents, siblings, family members, friends and
school associates including staff and peers. The practical projects visualise the
difference in the behaviour of the Asperger's child where non-appropriate responses to
stimuli are presented.
Interviews, meetings and questionnaires present case studies with anonymity; clinical
support and parental experiences inform visual developments.
This project contributes to the visualisation of scientific data where imaging
encourages understanding with the subject. The role of the body of practice submitted
is also considered from the perspective of developing and informing pedagogic
practice, in parallel with strengthening a personal practitioner base. In all, fourteen
projects are reported on, each is disseminated via a website attached to the
Portsmouth University Illustration Course website - www. envf. port. ac. uk/illustration/
under my staff name Bob Wright and also at - www. thoughtism. co. uk
The simplification of the complexities in multiaxial diagnosis strategies, were a starting
point for the project. Medical assessment of ASD children can further confirm any
parental suspicions. These parental observations and the important relation and or
bearing upon diagnosis are a key issue I have raised in some of the projects.
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