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

Table 2

Tasks and ToM behaviors by mental state assessed.

Task	Social	Intrapersonal
Story Vignettes. Story about a character (social) or participant (intrapersonal) that feels one emotion but depicts another	Appearance-reality 𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.^∗ “How does Diana/David really feel when ___? Does D/D feel happy or sad or okay?” “How does D/D try to look on her/his face? Does s/he look happy or sad or okay?”	Appearance-reality 𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.^∗ “How do you really feel when ___? Do you feel happy or sad or okay?” “How do you try to look on your face? Do you look happy or sad or okay?”
Unexpected Contents. SOCIAL: A band-aid box is opened to reveal crayons insideIntrapersonal: A closed toothpaste box is opened to reveal M&Ms inside	Representational change emotion.“When Sally/Sam first saw the box, before S/S opened it, how did s/he feel about what was inside it?” (sad)	Representational change emotion. “When you first saw the box, before you opened it, how did you feel about what was inside it?” (sad)
	Representational change belief. “When S/S first saw the box, before S/S opened it, what did s/he think was inside it?” (Band-Aids)	Representational change belief. “When you first saw the box, before you opened it, what did you think was inside it?” (toothpaste)
	False belief. “If another kid has not seen inside this box, when this kid first sees the box, before the kid opens it, what will the kid think is inside it?” (band-aids)	Appearance-reality 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑓.^∗ “What does it look like is in the box? (toothpaste) What is really in the box? (M & Ms)
Unexpected Identity. Deceptive object of a sponge looking like a rock is presented to view. Then, the child touches the object and its true identity is revealed.	False belief. “If another kid has not touched this and has not squeezed it, when this kid first sees it, before the kid touches it or squeezes it, what will the kid think it is?” (rock)	Representational change belief. “When you first saw this, before you touched it or squeezed it, what did you think it was?” (rock) Appearance-reality 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑓.^∗ “What does this look like?” (rock) “What is this really?” (sponge)
Color 𝐹𝑖𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠.^∗ Filter placed over colored object such that only the child sees the color illusion.	Appearance (for self). “You are looking at the cake with your eyes right now. Does it look green to you or does it look purple to you?” (green)	Appearance (for self). “You are looking at the butterfly with your eyes right now. Does it look blue to you or does it look pink to you?” (blue)
	Perspective-taking perception “I’m looking at the cake with my eyes right now. Does it look green to me or does it look purple to me?” (purple)	Reality perception. “What color is the butterfly really and truly? Is it really and truly blue or is it really and truly pink?” (pink)

*Both questions had to be answered correctly to receive a passing score.