Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?

THEORY OF MIND

ToM or Theory of Mind is the ability to identify others’ mental states (beliefs, knowledge, emotions, and intentions) and use them to understand, predict, and judge others’ thoughts, behaviors, and language. ToM allows us to build a social world where we can understand how people think, figure out social relationships, predict behavior and solve social or interpersonal problems as they arise.

Theory of mind develops as children gain greater experience with social interactions. Play, pretend, stories, and relationships with parents and peers allow children to develop stronger insight into how other people's thinking may differ from their own. Social experiences also help children learn more about how thinking influences actions. ToM emerges between 3 and 5 and continues to expand in application and sophistication through early adulthood. Many factors can influence the development of ToM such as the number of siblings in the home, gender, and access to social interactions through play, pretend, peers, parents, and other situations.

 20 SIGNS OF ToM

1. Is not excessively dependent on adults- independence.
2. Copes with rebuffs
3. Can empathize effectively
4. Understands humor
5. Understands the difference between rejection and acceptance
6. Asserts own rights and needs appropriately
7. Is not intimidated by bullies
8. Expresses frustration and anger appropriately
9. Accesses groups at play and work
10. Contributions relevant information to ongoing activities
11. Take turns and share easily
12. Is socially motivated
13. Accepts mistakes and negative feedback
14. Can do small talk
15. Understands cause and effect related to behaviors and interactions
16. Can take another's perspective
17. Is cognitively flexible
18. Understands big vs. little problems
19. Can recognize, label, and express emotions accurately
20. Has the social skill needed to perform co-operative tasks

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AUTHORS

Marie Lewis is an author, consultant, and national speaker on best practices in education advocacy. She is a parent of 3 children and a Disability Case Manager, Board Certified Education Advocate, and Behavior Specialist Consultant. She has assisted in the development of thousands of IEPs nationally and consults on developing appropriately individualized IEPs that are outcome-based vs legally sufficient. She brings a great depth of expertise, practical experience, and compassion to her work as well as expert insight, vision, and systemic thinking. She is passionate and funny and she always inspires and informs.

MJ Gore has an MEd in counseling and a degree in elementary education and natural sciences. She worked as a life-skills and learning support teacher She has been honored with the receipt of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. She is the Director and on the faculty at the National Special Education Advocacy Institute. Her passion is social justice, especially in the area of education. She is a Board Certified Education Advocate who teaches professional advocates, educators, and clinicians the best practices in education advocacy.