title: Individual differences in the efficacy of a short theory of mind intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Having a 'theory of mind', or having the ability to attribute mental states to oneself or others, is considered one of the most central domains of impairment among children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many interventions focus on improving theory of mind skills in children with ASD. Nonetheless, the empirical evidence for the effect of these interventions is limited. The main goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a short theory of mind intervention for children with ASD. A second objective is to determine which subgroups within the autism spectrum profit most from the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a randomized controlled trial. One hundred children with ASD, aged 7 to 12 years will be randomly assigned to an intervention or a waiting list control group. Outcome measures include the completion of theory of mind and emotion understanding tasks, and parent and teacher questionnaires on children's social skills. Follow-up data for the intervention group will be collected 6 months after the interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study evaluates the efficacy of a theory of mind intervention for children with ASD. Hypotheses, strengths, and limitations of the study are discussed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Netherlands Trial Register NTR2327.
authors.affiliation: VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Elske
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoddenbach
authors.forename: Hans M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Koot
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clifford
authors.forename: Carolien
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gevers
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clauser
authors.forename: Frits
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boer
authors.forename: Sander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Begeer
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D012107:Research Design; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D056345:Theory of Mind; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome