Unique Theory of Mind Differentiation in Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Table 1

Predominant accounts of Theory of Mind.

ToM Account	Explanation of ToM development	References
Integrated
Modularity	A module spontaneously processes attended actions, treats actions as intentional, and automatically computes mental states.	[22, 23]
Theory-theory	Children develop a theory of how the mind works and revise and replace that theory with successive theories.	[10, 24]
Sociocultural	Social contextual variables (e.g., interactions with friends and family) act as underlying sources of ToM development.	[5, 11, 25, 26]
Language	ToM develops from our ability to use language.	[27]
Differentiated
Functional multilinear socialization	Reasoning about one’s own and others’ mental states are two distinct cognitive abilities: social reasoning and intrapersonal reasoning.	[1, 2]
Simulation	Children use self-reasoning skills to map and simulate other’s reasoning.	[3, 4]