P0344 - Theory of mind and executive functioning in autism

Abstract

The concept of Theory of Mind (ToM) refers to the ability to predict and explain feelings, thoughts, ideas and intentions of self and others. Patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) show a deficient development of ToM. Executive Functioning (EF) is described as higher cognitive processes essential for goal directed behaviour. EF plays a role not only in cognitive deficits in patients with ASD, but also in the restraints in social communication.. The prefrontal cortex is involved in ToM as well as in EF. Few studies have investigated the relationship between ToM and EF in adult patients with ASS.

In this pilot study the correlation between ToM and EF in 19 patients with ASS was assessed. ToM was assessed with an extensive TOM test (Steerneman et al., 2003) that measures not only false believes but also higher levels of ToM. EF was measured with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Tower of London (ToL) and the Stroop Colour-Word task (Stroop). Correlations were calculated with Kendall's tau-b.

The results show that ASD patients have a lower score on the TOM test than the norm scores, which was expected. De mean scores on the ToL and the Stroop are lower than the means in normal populations. The WCST scores do not differ from norm scores. A significant correlation between TOM scores and EF is not found.

These results do not corroborate other published studies. The potential bias in this pilot study and a design for a more adequate approach will be presented