Theory of mind abilities in young siblings of children with autism

Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice
Michal ShakedN Yirmiya

Abstract

Deficits in theory of mind (ToM), evident in most individuals with autism, have been suggested as a core deficit of autism. ToM difficulties in young siblings of children with autism (SIBS-A) compared to siblings of typically developing children (SIBS-TD) would place the former within the broad phenotype. We examined ToM's possible associations with measures of language, cognition, and daily living skills. Participants comprised 24 SIBS-A and 24 matched SIBSTD aged 4.6 years. They completed the false belief and the strange stories tasks. We also collected measures of verbal and cognitive ability and daily living skills. Non-significant differences emerged between the groups on both ToM tasks. Differences did emerge in within-group associations between ToM ability and receptive language. The conclusion is that SIBS-A show resilience in ToM abilities. Possibly, these deficits are not genetically transferred to siblings, at least as measured in laboratory-based ToM tasks.

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Citations

Mar 28, 2009·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Ifat GamlielMarian Sigman
Sep 17, 2010·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Noa Ben-YizhakMarian Sigman
Aug 1, 2012·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Meghan R SwansonMichael Siller
Jan 1, 2011·Autism Research and Treatment·Jennifer Gerdts, Raphael Bernier
Mar 14, 2014·Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS·Sarit Yaakoby-Rotem, Ronny Geva
Jun 13, 2015·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Ewa Pisula, Karolina Ziegart-Sadowska
Aug 26, 2014·Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·Natalia KulesskayaVootele Voikar
Jan 4, 2017·PloS One·Stefan RassStefan Schauer

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