Abstract
Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) participate in social skills or Theory of Mind (ToM) treatments. However,
few studies have shown evidence for their effectiveness. The current study used a randomized controlled design to test the
effectiveness of a 16-week ToM treatment in 8–13 year old children with ASD and normal IQs (n = 40). The results showed that, compared to controls, the treated children with ASD improved in their conceptual ToM skills,
but their elementary understanding, self reported empathic skills or parent reported social behaviour did not improve. Despite
the effects on conceptual understanding, the current study does not indicate strong evidence for the effectiveness of a ToM
treatment on the daily life mindreading skills.
few studies have shown evidence for their effectiveness. The current study used a randomized controlled design to test the
effectiveness of a 16-week ToM treatment in 8–13 year old children with ASD and normal IQs (n = 40). The results showed that, compared to controls, the treated children with ASD improved in their conceptual ToM skills,
but their elementary understanding, self reported empathic skills or parent reported social behaviour did not improve. Despite
the effects on conceptual understanding, the current study does not indicate strong evidence for the effectiveness of a ToM
treatment on the daily life mindreading skills.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1121-9
- Authors
- Sander Begeer, Developmental Psychology, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Carolien Gevers, de Bascule, Academic Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Pamela Clifford, de Bascule, Academic Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Manja Verhoeve, de Bascule, Academic Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Kirstin Kat, de Bascule, Academic Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Elske Hoddenbach, de Bascule, Academic Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Frits Boer, de Bascule, Academic Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257