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The Autistic Child's Theory of Mind: a Case of Specific Developmental Delay
Author(s) -
BaronCohen Simon
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1989.tb00241.x
Subject(s) - psychology , theory of mind , autism , attribution , developmental disorder , developmental psychology , autistic spectrum , cognition , psychiatry , social psychology
In previous tests of the lowest level of .1 “theory of mind” (i.e. first‐order belie) attribution), 80% of autistic children were found 10 be impaired relative to a non‐autistic mentally‐band Happed control group. The present study examines the 20% of autistic children what have a theory of mind at the lowest level, and tests their ability to use a theory of mind al higher levels (i.e. second‐order belief attribution). This autistic subgroup, in comparison to Down's Syndrome and normal control groups, was found to be severely impaired at the higher level. Autism is discussed as a possible case of specific developmental delay.