We determine the order of the automorphism group $\operatorname{Aut}(W)$ for each member $W$ of an important family of finite $p$-groups that may be constructed as iterated regular wreath products of cyclic groups. We use a method based on representation theory.

Let $G=({\mathbb Z}/a\rtimes{\mathbb Z}/b) \times \SL_2(\mathbb{F}_p)$, and let $X(n)$ be an $n$-dimensional $CW$-complex of the homotopy type of an $n$-sphere. We study the automorphism group $\Aut (G)$ in order to compute the number of distinct homotopy types of spherical space forms with respect to free and cellular $G$-actions on all $CW$-complexes $X(2dn-1)$, where $2d$ is the period of $G$. The groups ${\mathcal E}(X(2dn-1)/\mu)$ of self homotopy equivalences of space forms $X(2dn-1)/\mu$ associated with free and cellular $G$-actions $\mu$ on $X(2dn-1)$ are determined as well.