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Simple Mindreading Abilities Predict Complex Theory of Mind: Developmental Delay in Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

Theory of mind (ToM) is impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aims of this study were to: (i) examine the developmental trajectories of ToM abilities in two different mentalizing tasks in children with ASD compared to TD children; and (ii) to assess if a ToM simple test known as eyes-test could predict performance on the more advanced ToM task, i.e. comic strip test. Based on a sample of 37 children with ASD and 55 TD children, our results revealed slower development at varying rates in all ToM measures in children with ASD, with delayed onset compared to TD children. These results could stimulate new treatments for social abilities, which would lessen the social deficit in ASD.

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Author Contributions

MCP, MM, FF and MV designed research; MM and SP collected data; MCP, DD and FM analyzed the data; All authors have contributed to write the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Località Coppito, 67100, L’aquila, Italy

    Maria Chiara Pino, Monica Mazza, Melania Mariano & Sara Peretti

  2. Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL-Institute of Education, London, UK

    Dagmara Dimitriou

  3. Department of Psychology, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London, UK

    Fabia Franco

  4. Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Clinical Epidemiology and Environmental Medicine, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, Località Coppito, 67100, L’aquila, Italy

    Francesco Masedu & Marco Valenti

  5. Regional Centre for Autism, Abruzzo Region Health System, L’aquila, Italy

    Marco Valenti

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  1. Maria Chiara Pino
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  2. Monica Mazza
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  3. Melania Mariano
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  4. Sara Peretti
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  8. Fabia Franco
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Correspondence to Maria Chiara Pino.

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Pino, M.C., Mazza, M., Mariano, M. et al. Simple Mindreading Abilities Predict Complex Theory of Mind: Developmental Delay in Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 47, 2743–2756 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3194-1

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