The relationship between Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning and peer relationships in children with High Functioning Autistic Spectrum disorders

This thesis aims to investigate whether impairments in Theory of Mind and Executive Functioning account for variability in social adaptive functioning in individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The thesis is divided into three parts. Part 1 presents a review of studies exploring associations between Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning and social adaptive functioning in individuals diagnosed with an ASD. The paper begins with a summary of Theory of Mind and Executive Functioning and briefly presents evidence linking these concepts to social adaptive functioning and to each other in typically developing populations. Next, the studies exploring these associations in ASD populations are reviewed and the methodological strengths and weaknesses of the research.are discussed. Finally, some implications for future research are outlined. Part 2 presents the empirical paper, an investigation into -whether Theory of Mind and Executive Functioning account for variability in peer relationships in children and adolescents diagnosed with a High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. An additional aim of the empirical paper is to explore the association between peer relationships and symptoms of depression. Part 3 presents the critical appraisal where reflections on several points of interest arising from the literature review and the empirical paper are made