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| Click here to view some of Dr. Leslie's most recent work
Autism and Developmental Disorders Colloquium Series “‘Theory of mind’ impairment and the autistic triad” Alan M. Leslie, Ph.D. Director, Cognitive Development Lab; Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science Building Address: 43 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Please RSVP to lmavros@mit.edu
The autistic syndrome is a complex genetic disorder with highly diverse cognitive-behavioral signs. To simplify the cognitive level problem, we should focus on the pathognomonic behavioral signs. These are Wing & Gould’s (1979) triad of social, communicative, and imaginative impairments, relative to IQ level, with a developmental onset prior to age three. What kind of cognitive-developmental disorder might produce the triad? Twenty years ago, I suggested that these signs arise from impaired development of a specialized neurocognitive mechanism, the “theory of mind” mechanism (ToMM). The ToMM plays a critical role in the normal development of our abilities to understand the thoughts, desires, attitudes, and, in some cases, feelings of other people. I review some of the evidence in favor of the ToMM impairment hypothesis and address some major objections. Objections fall mainly under two headings. First, ‘theory of mind’ is late developing (4 years plus) and is a thoroughly ‘intellectual’ ability; therefore, it could not be a primary disorder. However, ToMM actually develops earlier, during the first two years of life, and is more ‘instinctual’ than intellectual, much as language is. Second, impairment to ‘theory of mind’ abilities in autism is explained by lower level or developmentally primary impairments, like executive functions, face perception, or social orienting. Addressing such issues requires looking not only at what is impaired but also at what is spared. Two sparings are especially revealing: understanding false public representations, and basic moral judgments. ToMM impairment remains the best hypothesis for explaining the autistic triad.
Supported by the Simons Foundation and the Anne and Paul Marcus Family Foundation
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