Psychiatry Investig.  2018 Dec;15(12):1144-1153. 10.30773/pi.2018.10.01.

The Relationship of Clinical Symptoms with Social Cognition in Children Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Learning Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Åžahin B
• KarabekiroÄŸlu K
• Bozkurt A
• Usta MB
• Aydın M
• ÇobanoÄŸlu C

• KMID: 2434763
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2018.10.01

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
One of the areas of social cognition is Theory of Mind (ToM) is defined as the capacity to interpret, infer and explain mental states underlying the behavior of others. When social cognition studies on neurodevelopmental disorders are examined, it can be seen that this skill has not been studied sufficiently in children with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD).
METHODS
In this study, social cognition skills in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), SLD or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) evaluated before puberty and compared with controls. To evaluate the ToM skills, the first and secondorder false belief tasks, the Hinting Task, the Faux Pas Test and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task were used.
RESULTS
We found that children with neurodevelopmental disorders as ADHD, ASD, and SLD had ToM deficits independent of intelligence and language development. There was a significant correlation between social cognition deficits and problems experienced in many areas such as social communication and interaction, attention, behavior, and learning.
CONCLUSION
Social cognition is an important area of impairment in SLD and there is a strong relationship between clinical symptoms and impaired functionality.

Keyword

Specific Learning Disorder; Autism; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Social cognition; Theory of Mind

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity*
Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Autistic Disorder*
Child*
Cognition*
Humans
Intelligence
Language Development
Learning
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Puberty
Specific Learning Disorder*
Theory of Mind