Brief Report: Preliminary Evaluation of the Theory of Mind Inventory and its Relationship to Measures of Social Skills

Abstract

This study presents updated information on a parent-report measure of Theory of Mind (ToM), formerly called the Perception of Children's Theory of Mind Measure (Hutchins et al., J Autism Dev Disord 38:143-155, 2008), renamed the Theory of Mind Inventory (ToMI), for use with parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study examines the responses of parents of adolescents with ASDs and explores the relationship of parental responses on the ToMI to measures of autistic symptoms and social skills. Descriptive statistics were compared to previous samples; correlations and regressions were conducted to examine the ToMI's criterion-related validity with social skills and ASD symptoms. Results support use of the ToMI with adolescent samples and its relationship to social impairments in ASDs.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Theory of Mind Inventory (ToMI): A Study of Typically Developing Children and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Although the PPVT has gained some currency in the ASD literature as a means for indexing language skills, the PPVT is a measure of receptive vocabulary only and the use comprehensive language measures to better assess the intralinguistic profiles of the sample is needed. Lerner et al (2011) explored the relationship of ToMI scores to parent-reported autistic symptoms, social skills, and autism-related social impairments in a sample of adolescents with ASD. They found that ToMI scores were correlated with social skills, ASD symptoms, and autism related social impairments in the expected directions.…”

Social competence with an unfamiliar peer in children and adolescents with high functioning autism: Measurement and individual differences

“…Theory of mind, or the ability to assign mental states to others, allows people to explain and predict others’ behavior (Bretherton & Beeghly, 1982; Miller, 2006). Theory of mind is positively associated with reports of children's social skills in both typical and atypical development (Lerner, Hutchins, & Prelock, 2011; Watson, Nixon, Wilson, & Capage, 1999), suggesting that theory of mind and social competence deficits may be intricately related.…”

Issue Editor Foreword

“…Thus was initiated the beginning of what is now 36 years of research on ToM. The ToM construct has been associated with persons' abilities to interact appropriately with one another (Lerner, Hutchins, & Prelock, 2011;Liddle & Nettle, 2006). Implementation of the Common Core Standards in schools has focused attention on developing children's and adolescents' intellectual abilities to bring about improved academic performance.…”