Sanford Autism Advocacy Group
  • Home
  • About
    • Owner/Director
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Our Partners
  • IEP SERVICES
    • ADVOCACY
    • Crystal Clear IEP Conference
    • IEP Consultant Training
  • Blog
  • PODCAST
    • Thriving Special Families (2021)
    • Thriving Autism Families (2022)
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • My Autism Family Care Planner
    • Sour Lemons Book
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
    • Owner/Director
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Our Partners
  • IEP SERVICES
    • ADVOCACY
    • Crystal Clear IEP Conference
    • IEP Consultant Training
  • Blog
  • PODCAST
    • Thriving Special Families (2021)
    • Thriving Autism Families (2022)
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • My Autism Family Care Planner
    • Sour Lemons Book
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Contact
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

6/15/2017 0 Comments

Theory of Mind (TOM) and Autism

Picture
Picture
This month’s topic is perspective taking, more formally described as Theory of Mind (TOM). TOM is a core area of struggle for children and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, research shows that those with Asperger's syndrome may be impacted with less intensity. 
 
What is Theory of Mind (TOM)?
A definition of Theory of Mind is, “the ability to intuitively track what others know, think, and feel during personal interactions”.  We use the information that we gather during these interactions to understand/monitor our own responses, make sense of other people’s behavior, and predict what people may do or say next. The foundations of Theory of Mind skills develop gradually from infancy and typically solidify by 6-7 years of age.

Challenges​ with TOM
Theory of Mind deficits may cause social difficulties: being sensitive to other
people’s feelings, reading the listener’s interest level in our conversation, anticipating
what others think of one’s own social behaviors, and understanding “unwritten” social
rules. These deficits may also cause academic challenges related to comprehension of
literature, understanding socially based themes in text, or interpreting directions given
by the teacher.
 
How Parents Can Help
1. Stress “thinking about others” at home. Discuss how our actions yield positive and/or negative consequences.

2. As situations occur, share your "thinking" with your child (ex: When you cleaned your space at the dinner table tonight, I felt proud of you!)

3. Help your child to deconstruct social rules by using books and social stories (ex: Social Rules for Kids by Susan Diamond and Social Stories by Carol Gray).
​


​​REFERENCES
Jill Kuzma SLP Social & Emotional Skill Sharing Site (2008), www.jillkuzma.wordpress.com; The Applied Psychologist-Second Edition (1999), Chapter 11, Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, Open University Press, Buckingham/Philadelphia; Understanding Core Social Thinking Challenges: The ILAUGH Model, Michelle G. Winner, www.socialthinking.com.

0 Comments

    Author

    Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP is an Educational Consultant, IEP & Autism Advocate and Speech Pathologist. She is also the host of inspiring podcasts, Thriving Special Families and Thriving Autism Families! Her passion is advocating STRONG alongside fellow Autism and special needs parents, helping them to persistently pursue what their children deserve at school. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband and two children in San Diego, CA.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    April 2021
    January 2021
    September 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017

    Categories

    All Amazing Grace Autism Info IEP Advocacy SAC Company Info Thriving Special Families Tips And Strategies

    Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
WEBSITE CREATED BY BLUE PHOTO SD