Theory of Mind-based action in children from the autism spectrum

In this study we investigated whether task interest facilitated the application of Theory of Mind capacities in high-functioning children from the autism spectrum. Children were invited to carry out two simple tasks. Sabotage of both tasks by a third party resulted in the experimenter appearing to have a false belief. Whereas pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) children tended to correct the experimenter's false belief in the rewarded task condition, children with autism were not influenced by task condition. These results highlight the role played by social and communicative factors in the application of Theory of Mind knowledge in the former clinical group.