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Theory of Mind

NAS78593

Hello all,

I have recently had three sessions with a clinical psychologist to explore whether difficulties I have had for as long as I can remember (depression, anxiety, intense social anxiety, difficulty maintaining relationships etc etc) might actually have an explanation, i.e. perhaps I am on the autistic spectrum.  

I approached this man in particular as his profile - on BUPA Finder - listed one of his specialisms as Autism Assessment.  I completed the Adult Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and GADS questionnaires and I was told that I had 'autistic traits' but he could not go further than this - I would have to get an official assessment (which I thought I was getting but that is another story!).

The ambiguity of this has left me feeling quite confused and upset. 

However, from what I have researched, having issues around 'theory of mind' is fundamental to being autistic, and I don't think this is something I have difficulty with.  So, I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share real life examples of how difficulties with theory of mind might present itself/affect them?  

I should mention that I am a 44 year old woman.

Thank you so much.

Parents

  • Hello, I understand that you have read about Theory of Mind but this theory was devised by a non autistic person who is heavily criticised by the autistic community. The idea that it is fundamental to being autistic is wrong.

    The idea that autistic people have difficulty with Theory of Mind is innacurate - another false and harmful claim from Simon Baron Cohen. Autistic people have a Theory of Mind it’s just that cross neurotype interactions frequently lead to misunderstandings as both groups of people have vastly different experiences of the world. Therefore it becomes difficult to relate to each other. Autistic masking is also very common which also means that SBC’s theory is wrong as we understand how we are perceived by non autistic people. Have you heard of the Double Empathy problem?

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/double-empathy

    https://autisticscienceperson.com/2018/05/31/theory-of-mind/amp/

  • in reply to Ausomely Autistic

    Yes, Simon Baron-Cohen is using the fact he's a Cousin of a major Celebrity to try and make himself known. His Psychopath test, he did with Jon Ronson, tried to insinuate that Christians are Psychopaths.

    'Experts' are Nineteen to the Dozen these days. Mostly full of hot air.

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  • in reply to Ausomely Autistic

    Yes, Simon Baron-Cohen is using the fact he's a Cousin of a major Celebrity to try and make himself known. His Psychopath test, he did with Jon Ronson, tried to insinuate that Christians are Psychopaths.

    'Experts' are Nineteen to the Dozen these days. Mostly full of hot air.

Children
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