Abstract
This research compared the written compositions of 16 adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders and 16 neurotypical
control participants, and examined the influence of theory of mind on their writing. Participants ranging in age from 17 years
to 42 years, matched on Vocabulary subtest scores from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (1997), completed the Social
Attribution Task and wrote an expository and a narrative text. Texts were assessed on 18 variables representing quality, mechanics,
and length. It was found that adults with HFASD wrote lower quality narrative and expository texts, and narratives of shorter
length. Theory of mind was positively associated with writing quality and text length across both genres.
control participants, and examined the influence of theory of mind on their writing. Participants ranging in age from 17 years
to 42 years, matched on Vocabulary subtest scores from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (1997), completed the Social
Attribution Task and wrote an expository and a narrative text. Texts were assessed on 18 variables representing quality, mechanics,
and length. It was found that adults with HFASD wrote lower quality narrative and expository texts, and narratives of shorter
length. Theory of mind was positively associated with writing quality and text length across both genres.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1168-7
- Authors
- Heather M. Brown, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, 1201 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1H1, Canada
- Perry D. Klein, Faculty of Education, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257