Theory of Mind Ability in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder using the Farsi Version of the Strange Stories Test

Abstract

Objectives: Children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have impairment in interpreting behaviors in terms of mental states. This study evaluated the theory of mind ability in youth with ASD compared to their typically developing counterparts using the Strange Stories Test. Method: A total number of thirty 7-15 years old youth with ASD were compared with 30 Typically Developing (TD) youth matched on age and verbal intelligence quotient, using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children- Version III-Revised and Farsi translation of the Strange Stories. Individuals with ASD were also evaluated by the Kiddie- Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime version, Childhood Autism Rating Scale and Asperger Syndrome Diagnosis Scale to confirm the diagnosis. Results: The group with ASD performed poorer than the TD group on all the stories (P<0.001). Age in the two group were significantly related to all types of the stories (P<0.05). Verbal intelligence quotient was associated with all stories in the ASD group whereas it was related to only mental and human stories in the TD group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The participants with ASD performed worse than the TD group on mentalizing ability. Their poor performance on control stories needs additional studies.