Conversational analysis was used to evaluate conversation between an adult with autism and a researcher. Analysis identified differences in conversational style based on such features as topic movement, topic maintenance, repairs, interference from earlier structures, common collocations, overlaps, latching, and pauses. Findings suggest the…

Analysis of videotapes of 24 individuals with autism and 24 nonautistic persons with mental retardation found that subjects with autism were less likely to offer spontaneous verbal and nonverbal gestures of greeting and farewell and were less likely to establish eye contact when they were greeted. Results suggest a relative lack of intersubjective…

Qualitative analysis of videotape recordings of seven mothers and their sons with autism (ages 2 and 3) found that mothers mostly engaged in verbal regard (conversation) and directive behaviors. Sons were able to give some form of regard 69% of the time, mostly in the form of active task participation rather than verbal or visual regard.…