Theory of Mind

After watching the presentation by Uta Frith, there is more detail involved with Theory of Mind then I originally thought. Uta Frith explains the challenges that are faced by ASD individuals who may not understand the concept of “mentalizing”. I believe there is a strong connection in understanding theory of mind and the impairments of social communication in ASD individuals. If a child does not understand why an individual is sad, joyful, or angry, then they are going to have difficulty expressing their own emotions or feelings.

For example, I remember a child I worked with would cry every time she saw another child cry or show any emotions of being upset. You can just imagine working in an early childhood center, how many times toddlers and preschoolers cry throughout the day! This was very challenging for me as a teacher, because I did not have the background knowledge on ASD and what the concept of Theory of Mind was. Now with the knowledge I have learned in class, I have a better perspective on why emotions from other children were upsetting for her.

 
 I did not know until watching the video that Theory of Mind can actually be taught and learned. This can explain why some people try to debunk the Theory of Mind idea. However, we have to remember, just because children can learn what Theory of Mind is, does not necessary mean they understand it. With that being said, this can clarify why some ASD individuals may pass Theory of Mind tests.

I also found it very helpful when Uta Frith discussed different false belief tests. One example she used was sabotage and deception. From my understanding of the example she used, when a typical child is placed in a situation where he/she needs to deceive someone in order to gain or protect something ( such as the candy example), the child can recognize the situation and make a decision. On the other hand, a child with ASD does not have the state of mind to make the distinction between using deception and the actual reality of the situation. This is just one example how theory of mind can impact a child’s development.

We already know a common trait of autistic individuals is having difficulty interpreting the emotions of others, but this is also true when expressing their own emotions. This is vital to consider when giving an assessment because one can explain why an individual may have difficulty in a certain area. I strongly believe Theory of Mind is important to consider when making an assessment, however it is not the only thing educators should rely on. Being aware of the child’s challenges and finding the right skills and tools to strengthen the child’s needs are essential for his/her future.