The Understanding of Intentions, Desires and Beliefs in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 45; no. 7; pp. 2035 - 2045
• Main Authors: Broekhof, Evelien, Ketelaar, Lizet, Stockmann, Lex, van Zijp, Annette, Bos, Marieke G. N., Rieffe, Carolien
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.07.2015; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder - psychology; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Beliefs; Care and treatment; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child and School Psychology; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Children; Comparative Analysis; Complications and side effects; Comprehension; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Intention; Language Acquisition; Language Skills; Language Tests; Male; Motivation; Neurosciences; Pediatrics; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Psychological aspects; Psychology; Public Health; Theory of Mind; Young Children; Pre-school children; Social behavior; Motivation; Social cognition
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2363-3

This study provides a comprehensive picture of three core elements (Intentions, Desires, Beliefs) of Theory of Mind (ToM) in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n  = 63, M age = 55 months) and typically developing children (TD, n  = 69, M age = 54 months). Outcomes showed that ASD and TD children understood intentional actions equally well. Yet, children with ASD lacked the social interest to share intentions. Additionally, children with ASD had more difficulties in understanding others’ desires and beliefs compared to their TD peers. It is discussed whether the ToM delay seen in children with ASD is a motivational or a conceptual problem.