Theory of mind and emotion-recognition functioning in autistic spectrum disorders and in psychiatric control and normal children

Author(s): VanderWees, M., SwaabBarneveld, H., VanderGaag, R. J.

Journal/Book: Dev Psychopathol. 1999; 11: 40 West 20Th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, USA. Cambridge Univ Press. 39-58.

Abstract: The hypothesis was tested that weak theory of mind (ToM) and/or emotion recognition (ER) abilities are specific to subjects with autism. Differences in ToM and ER performance were examined between autistic (n = 20), pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) (n = 20), psychiatric control (n = 20), and normal children (n = 20). The clinical groups were matched person-to-person on age and verbal IQ. We used tasks for the matching and the context recognition of emotional expressions, and a set of first- and second-order ToM tasks. Autistic and PDD-NOS children could not be significantly differentiated from each other, nor could they be differentiated from the psychiatric controls with a diagnosis of ADHD (n = 9). The psychiatric controls with conduct disorder or dysthymia performed about as well as normal children. The variance in second-order ToM performance contributed most to differences between diagnostic groups.

Note: Article Buitelaar JK, Dept Child Psychiat, POB 85500, NL-3508 GA Utrecht, NETHERLANDS

Keyword(s): PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER; SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN; ASPERGERS SYNDROME; BRAIN POTENTIALS; YOUNG-CHILDREN; PERCEPTION; BEHAVIOR; EXPRESSIONS; DEFICITS; CLASSIFICATION

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