Development and functioning of ''theory of mind'' in autistic and normal children

This paper was concerned with the study of normal and autistic children' responses to several tests investigating the ability to think the other's thought (<< theory of mind >>). Interpreted into a piagetian perspective, results in normal children permitted to suggest the existence of three ability development stages, between period of age from 3 to 8 years (initial, mediate and final stages). Analysis of autistic children's responses confirmed Baron-Cohen's findings about a << theory of mind >> deficit in autism. However, both theoretical frameworks - developmental and neuropsychological - permitted to understand some of their responses as corresponding, on one hand, to a mediate level cognitive functioning, on the other hand, to a disorder of mental activity regulation. Clinical interests of using these tests in neuropsychological investigation was discussed.