Theory of Mind for Children with Autism Part 1: Assessment & Evaluation
Presented by Patricia A. Prelock and Tiffany Hutchins
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Non-Financial: Tiffany Hutchins has no competing non-financial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Patricia A. Prelock receives compensation from MedBridge for this course. There is no financial interest beyond the production of this course.
Non-Financial: Patricia A. Prelock has no competing non-financial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Meet your instructors
Patricia A. Prelock
Patricia Prelock, Ph.D.,CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, is Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Professor of Communication Sciences & Disorders, and Professor of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. Dr. Prelock coordinates parent training programs designed for caregivers of children with autism…
Tiffany Hutchins
Tiffany L. Hutchins is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Vermont. She earned an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience in experimental psychology and communication sciences and disorders at the University of South Florida in 2002. Dr. Hutchins’…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Definition of Theory of Mind
One of the primary characteristics of autism is a significant impairment in social understanding. Baron-Cohen and colleagues (1985) have associated the challenges in social understanding with the development of theory of mind in children with ASD. It is important that clinicians understand what theory of mind is and that the dimensions of theory of mind suggest a larger weakness in social cognition.
2. Description of the Challenges in Traditional Theory of Mind Assessment
In this section we will highlight the limitations of ToM assessments including motivational, situational, cognitive & linguistic factors; issues of social validity and interpretation; and trying to make sense of a developmental model. To help participants understand ToM assessment in the context of social communication deficits in children with ASD, we will examine three levels of functioning: biological, cognitive and behavioral.
3. Introduction of the Theory of Mind Inventory-2
In this section of the presentation we present a comprehensive parent-information measure of ToM that addresses the challenges of traditional ToM assessments. As a parent informant measure, the ToMI-2 utilizes information that has been accumulated by the informant over time using questions that span a range of ToM knowledge areas. It is a more comprehensive and ecological valid approach as the questions represent real situations with an evaluation from the parent who knows the child best.
