Click here to download an informative PDF entitled
The Language Foundation for Developing a
Theory of Mind
by Mary Sweig Wilson, Ph.D. (CCC-SLP)

Language for Theory of Mind 1: Understanding Others' Perceptions, Wants, and Needs
Language for Theory of Mind™

Theory of Mind (ToM) involves recognizing that other people have sensations, desires, knowledge, thoughts, and beliefs, and that what happens in others' minds plays a critical role in explaining their behavior. This research-based program* helps students understand others' perceptions, wants, and needs.

This program:

  • develops a language foundation for Theory of Mind
  • helps children understand what others can or cannot perceive
  • introduces verbs of intention/desire (e.g., want and need)

Suggested for students with:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Language Impairments
  • Intellectual Disabilities
  • Hearing Impairments

Product Description:

ToM involves the recognition that other people have sensations, desires, knowledge, thoughts, and beliefs which influence their behavior. Deficits in ToM are pervasive in students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and are also common among students with hearing impairments and language impairments.

Fundamental to the development of a ToM is an appreciation of how others come to possess information through the five senses. Teaching the syntax and semantics of verbs of perception is an important foundational step in the development of ToM. This program helps children understand what others can or cannot see, feel, hear, taste, and smell. It also introduces other people's wants and needs which is important to understanding their behavior.

Optimized Intervention® Ensures Success!

Language for Theory of Mind 1: Understanding Others' Perceptions, Wants, & Needs software features Optimized Intervention® technology, a powerful, innovative system that tailors instructional delivery to each student’s unique needs. The program begins with an introduction to the five sense verbs and then conducts an assessment to determine where to begin training. Once training begins, the program tracks detailed information about a student’s performance and automatically adjusts the instructional delivery to provide a highly individualized learning experience. The program collects extensive data and provides built-in reports which allow you to quickly and easily review a student’s progress over time.

 

Activities

6 Modules in All
Module 1: Perceptions & Actions
After an introduction to the five sense verbs, students learn to discriminate between sense perceptions and actions, thus learning the difference between external observable events and internal ones.
"Who sees the piñata?"
Module 2: Comparing Sense Verbs
Students must discriminate between sense verbs and relate these to others' differing perceptions.
"Who hears a mosquito?"
Module 3: Who Senses/Doesn't Sense
Students must distinguish between a character who is and one who is not experiencing a particular perception. This calls attention to the fact that perceptual access is essential to perceptual experience.
"Who smells the skunk?"
Module 4: Who Perceives What
Students must determine which character perceives a particular object or event. This is a prerequisite to comprehending that people often have access to different information, leading to differing perceptions.
"Who sees the cat dancing?"
Module 5: Wants/Needs+Infinitival To
Students must choose who does or does not want or need to do something. "Want" and "need" are among the earliest developing verbs that can take an irrealis complement; that is, one that refers to something which is currently not so, not happening, or absent. Students must also answer Yes/No-Questions related to such events.
"Does Matt need to take a bath?"
Module 6: Wants/Needs Someone To
Students choose who does or does not want or need someone else to do something. They must also answer Yes/No-Questions related to such events. This Module builds on the previous one by adding a level of semantic and syntactic complexity.
"Who needs Mr. Lopez to get the paddle?"

Purchase or Rent

Language for Theory of Mind 1  (Mac/Win CD)
146-WB
1-4 copies $210.00 each  
5-9 copies $147.00 each
30% off
10-19 copies $126.00 each
40% off
20-49 copies $105.00 each
50% off
50+ copies Call for Pricing
How many copies (1-49)?:
Monthly Rental $15.00/month
Network License Call for
1-800-562-6801

System Requirements

Macintosh® System Requirements:

  • 300 MHz or faster PowerPC®, Intel® or better CPU with Mac OS® 8.1 or later, including any Mac OS X*
  • 128 MB RAM, 256 MB RAM for OS X
  • 40 MB of available disk space
  • Color monitor capable of 800 x 600 resolution with thousands of colors
  • CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
  • Web browser (for Help System- no Internet connection is required)

Windows® System Requirements:

  • 300 MHz or faster CPU with Microsoft® Windows® 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista®, 7, or 8
  • 64 MB of installed RAM
  • 40 MB of available disk space
  • Color monitor capable of 800 x 600 resolution with high color
  • Windows compatible sound card and speakers
  • CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
  • Web browser (for Help System- no Internet connection is required)

Interface Options:

Mouse, keyboard, single or dual switch, touch screen, or any other compatible pointing device.

*Users of Mac OS Lion (version 10.7) or later will be required to download and install an application from our web site.

Authors

Authors:

Mary Sweig Wilson, Ph.D.
Bernard J. Fox, M.S.

*Development of the Language for Theory of Mind™ 1: Understanding Others’ Perceptions, Wants, & Needs software was supported by Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants #R43DC008510 and #R44DC008510 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). The contents of this program are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.