Teaching Theory of Mind (ToM) typically takes a while. There are some great programs out there, so luckily, we don’t have to re-invent the wheel!

Pre-requisite skills include; Inferencing, answering “Why” questions and “How do you know…” questions.

1. Thought Bubble – Teaching students what the term “THINK” means (e.g., “What do you think is in the box?”)

2. Sally Anne Test (most individuals with ASD fail this test) – We typically role play this over and over with lots of different scenarios.

3. “What is being said?” (Cards/App from Super Duper, Inc.) – Teach in sets of 5 at a time – Use a Yes/No data sheet

4. “What are they asking?” (Cards/App from Super Duper, Inc.) – Teach in sets of 5 at a time – Use a Yes/No data sheet

5. “What are they thinking?” (Cards/App from Super Duper, Inc.) – Teach in sets of 5 at a time – Use a Yes/No data sheet

6. Teaching Children With Autism How to Mind Read (Workbook) – This is a great workbook with pictures and activities.

7. Teaching Children with Autism to Mind Read (Manual) – Teach after the workbook.

8. Practical Theory of Mind Games – We teach this in groups to generalize perspective taking.

9. What am I Thinking – A fun joint attention game that you can teach at any time.

10. The Language of Perspective Taking

Perspective taking is tacting controlling variables of that person’s bx

Behavioural definition of ToM: being able to tact the variables that are controlling another person’s bx and discriminating between that person’s controlling variables and ones own.

Seeing and hearing leads to knowing. “can you see?” “yes” “do you know?” “yes”. “Can you see?” “no” “Do you know?” “no”

Autoclitic – gives you information about controlling variables – I want … (mand), I see… (tact)

“I know ….” How do you know? “because I can hear/see…”