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Can we teach children with autism to understand emotions, belief, or pretence?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2009

Julie Hadwin ,
Simon Baron-Cohen ,
Patricia Howlin  and
Katie Hill
Julie Hadwin*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Kent at Canterbury
Simon Baron-Cohen
Affiliation:
Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
Patricia Howlin
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, St. George's Hospital, University of London
Katie Hill
Affiliation:
Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
*
Julie Hadwin, Department of Psychology, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7LZ, UK.
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Abstract

Previous studies have revealed a “theory of mind” impairment in children with autism. The aim of this study was to assess whether it is possible to intervene by teaching children with autism to understand the mental states of emotion, belief, or pretence. Results showed that it is possible to teach children with autism to pass tasks that assess emotion and belief understanding. Introducing unfamiliar materials in structurally similar tasks did not adversely influence teaching effects, either immediately after teaching, or 2 months later. However, teaching effects did not generalize to tasks in domains where children received no teaching. In addition, no significant progress in spontaneous pretend play resulted from teaching. These results indicate that children may be passing tasks using rules rather than any genuine understanding of the concepts involved.

Type
Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , Spring 1996 , pp. 345 - 365
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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