Theory of Mind Deficits in Autism

Abstract

The work addresses the issue related to a theory of mind and its deficits, which occur among children with autism. A theory of mind is the ability a child gains in the course of its development, which gives the possibility to adopt somebody’s point of view, read facial expressions and emotions. ToM deficits in autism spectrum disorders were confirmed by the results of numerous scientific research. The experiments were conducted with the use of false-belief tests. The most popular of them is the Sally-Ann task during which a child is presented with two puppets. One of them, in the absence of the other, displaces its toy. Children with autism are not able to understand that the puppet, which did not see that its friend displaced the marble, does not realize that the marble changed its location. Another test demands from a child that it deceived its enemy, due to whom the child lost its sweets. The child was able to prevent this operation physically (by locking the box with sweets), but it could not lie the enemy that the box is locked. Deficits that occur in autism disturb social functioning. The children have problems with lying. They are not able to understand that somebody may be convinced about the fact that some other person can possess other opinions from their own. That is why manipulating other people’s opinions is very difficult for them, even though they can prevent some situation physically. Due to the theory of mind disorders, children with autism also find it difficult to pretend anything. This inability greatly impedes social functioning of those people.