What does 'theory of mind' mean to you; and how do you improve it as an Autistic person?

As above.

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  • It has been commonly said that autistics have poor theory of mind.

    After several months of having interactions with autistics of low support needs, high support needs and self-realised, I'm more inclined to believe Dr. Damian Milton's theory of double empathy

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

    One of my prouder moments last year was distilling this theory into the following, and the good doctor himself (Damian, not the TV guy!) saying that he liked it.

    When I was thinking about the often-cited patronising “theory of mind”, I came up with this in relation to your idea:

     

    • Autistic people have a poor Theory of Allistic Mind
    • Allistic people have poor Theory of Autistic Mind
    • Autistic people have good Theory of Autistic Mind
    • Allistic people have good Theory of Allistic Mind

     

    The last three are largely ignored by the ‘experts’ – and they shorten ‘Allistic Mind’ to just ‘Mind’

     

    But…! Even though Autistic people have a poor Theory or Allistic Mind, it is a damn sight better then the Allistic people’s Theory of Autistic Mind.

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