Deficits in theory of mind (ToM) are considered to be at the heart of autism. The ToM construct is multidimensional, having both cognitive and affective dimensions -- each of which has interpersonal and intrapersonal dimensions. Cognitive ToM deficits are reflected in persons’ difficulty in thinking about the thoughts, beliefs, intentions, and knowledge of others (cognitive interpersonal ToM) and in their difficulty in reflecting on their own knowledge and beliefs (intrapersonal cognitive ToM). Affective ToM is reflected in persons’ difficulty in recognizing the emotions of others and in inferring what might have caused the emotions or what the persons will do because of these emotions (interpersonal affective ToM) and in their ability to recognize and regulate their own emotions (affective interpersonal ToM). This session will describe the multidimensional nature of ToM and show how deficits in these dimensions is manifest in children with autism spectrum disorders, hearing loss, and language impairments from infancy through adolescence.
