Abstract

This manual contains a 12-week curriculum designed to incorporate a multi-sensory approach to developing the critical and basic aspects of Theory of Mind (ToM). The activities are designed to be used with children aged 5-9, who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or who have related social challenges.

By building on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles, this book shows how teaching ToM to young children can help them to better understand the emotions and actions of people around them. This curriculum has been designed to enhance the development of ToM and subsequently enhance social understanding in children who demonstrate challenges with pre-requisite skills that lead to successful social relationships and situations. As well as practical advice and supplementary materials such as worksheets and cut-out-and-use flash cards, this book includes reinforcement activities to be carried out at home with parents and care givers.

Written by Dr Kirstina Ordetx, an experienced Developmental Psychologist and CBT specialist, this book is essential reading for teachers and other professionals working with children with ASDs and related social difficulties, including SENCOs, behavioural therapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, wanting to explore the benefits that ToM can bring to pre-adolescent children.

Theory of Mind (ToM) is an all too important topic in the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. To date, few materials have bridged the research to practice gap of ToM. In this book, Ordetx has done just that. Her 12-week curriculum is elegant and easy to implement in a classroom or clinical setting. Lessons require little time to prepare and are very motivating for learners. This book has the potential to change the social understanding of learners on the spectrum and guide them in developing meaningful relationships.
Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D., Consultant, Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence and the Ziggurat Group
Kirstina Ordetx is a Developmental Psychologist and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) specialist, with over twenty years' experience of providing developmental and therapeutic interventions to children with ASDs and related social and learning challenges. She is the founder of the Pinnacle Academy, a private school for exceptional students in Sarasota, Florida. She directs the school program, provides individual and group therapies, presents at state and national conferences and teaches on graduate programs in psychology and behavioral sciences. She lives in Bradenton, Florida.