Theory of mind in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: inference based on the visual non-letter material

Abstract

The article presents the understanding of the theory of mind in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In order to find out the level of understanding of ToM, non-letter material was used, for testing the understanding of non-literal messages (such as metaphors, ironies and hyperbolas). The study involved 16 people with ASD, aged between 10 to 16 years, to whom pupils with normative development were selected pairwise, which allowed to compare the understanding of non-literal meanings in the two groups. The results showed that children with ASD have significant deficits in understanding non-literal messages presented on non -letter material, and thus difficulties in understanding the theory of mind. The research suggests the need for further research in the field of the development of the theory of mind in children with ASD, as well as the implementation of practical solutions to support the develop ment of this socially important competence.