While there is some evidence that ToM , or a precursor skill , can be taught to people with ASD , there is little evidence of maintenance of that skill , generalisation to other setting s , or developmental effects on related skills .
It is possible that the continuing refinement of the ToM model will lead to better interventions which have a greater impact on development than those investigated to date
BACKGROUND The ' Theory of Mind ' ( ToM ) model suggests that people with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) have a profound difficulty underst and ing the minds of other people - their emotions , feelings , beliefs , and thoughts .
As an explanation for some of the characteristic social and communication behaviours of people with ASD , this model has had a significant influence on research and practice .
It implies that successful interventions to teach ToM could , in turn , have far-reaching effects on behaviours and outcome .
OBJECTIVES To review the efficacy of interventions based on the ToM model for individuals with ASD .
Treatment of Children with Autism: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate a Caregiver‐Based Intervention Program in Community Day‐Care Centers
& NA ; This study reports on the results of a r and omized controlled trial that evaluated a caregiverbased intervention program for children with autism in community day‐care centers . Thirty‐five preschool children with a DSM III‐R diagnosis of autism or pervasive developmental disorder were r and omized to an experimental or control group . Children in the experimental group were enrolled in day care and their parents and child care workers received a 12‐week intervention consisting of lectures and on‐site consultations to day‐care centers . In addition , supportive work was undertaken with families . Control subjects received day care alone . In the experimental group , there were greater gains in language abilities , significant increases in caregivers ' knowledge about autism , greater perception of control on the part of mothers , and greater parent satisfaction . We conclude that this research design demonstrated that the intervention was significantly superior to day care alone
While there is some evidence that ToM , or a precursor skill , can be taught to people with ASD , there is little evidence of maintenance of that skill , generalisation to other setting s , or developmental effects on related skills .
It is possible that the continuing refinement of the ToM model will lead to better interventions which have a greater impact on development than those investigated to date
BACKGROUND The ' Theory of Mind ' ( ToM ) model suggests that people with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) have a profound difficulty underst and ing the minds of other people - their emotions , feelings , beliefs , and thoughts .
As an explanation for some of the characteristic social and communication behaviours of people with ASD , this model has had a significant influence on research and practice .
It implies that successful interventions to teach ToM could , in turn , have far-reaching effects on behaviours and outcome .
OBJECTIVES To review the efficacy of interventions based on the ToM model for individuals with ASD .