Case study assessment of theory of mind and its relation to the overall functioning of a small sample of teenage children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Education
Degree name
Master of Education
Publisher
University of Canterbury. School of Educational Studies and Human Development
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2004
Authors
Walker, Sara
Abstract

The relationship between theory of mind concepts and overall functioning was assessed in three teenagers who have the diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants completed first and second order false belief tasks, were observed in an educational setting and questionnaires regarding their strengths and difficulties were administered to their caregivers and school teachers. Caregivers also completed a parenting practices questionnaire. It was predicted that the child that was most successful at the false belief tasks would have the greatest overall daily functioning. Results showed that this was not the case, that increased social and daily functioning was not consistently linked to greater theory of mind concepts. These findings suggest that the daily accomplishments of children with ASD is not dependent on their ability to perform on theory of mind (ToM) tasks. The child's environment and experiences are explored as potential influences on their personal success.

Description
Citation
Keywords
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
Copyright Sara Walker