Children with Social Handicaps: An Intervention Programme Using a Theory of Mind Approach

The development of the child's `theory of mind' is the subject of considerable research interest. An important part of this work is concerned with children's understanding of mental states and recognition of emotions. Both areas are relevant to how children function in social situations and are likely to play an important role in socially skilled behaviour. We describe an approach in which `theory of mind' ideas are applied in a social skills-intervention programmes. The intervention programme is described, and its evaluation indicates that this type of training has a positive effect on the development of social skills.