title: Psychometric evaluation of the Theory of Mind Inventory (ToMI): a study of typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: Two studies examined the psychometric properties of the Theory of Mind Inventory (ToMI). In Study One, 135 caregivers completed the ToMI for children (ages 3 through 17) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Findings revealed excellent test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Principle Components Analysis revealed three subscales related to the complexity of ToM understanding. In Study Two, data were collected for 124 typically developing children (2 through 12 years). Findings again revealed excellent test-retest and internal consistency. The ToMI distinguished groups by age (younger vs. older children) and developmental status (typically developing vs. ASD), and predicted child performance on a ToM task battery. Utility of the ToMI, study limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Vermont, 489 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05452, USA. tiffany.hutchins@uvm.edu
authors.forename: Tiffany L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hutchins
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Prelock
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonazinga
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D056345:Theory of Mind