Training Theory of Mind Skill to Enhance Social Interaction in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Project aims at equipping primary and special school staff and parents with knowledge and skills to design and implement training on “Theory of Mind” skill to thelp students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to enhance their social interaction by adopting a home-school collaboration approach. The project would: 1)help school staff of primary schools and special schools to be fully aware of the effect of the “Theory of Mind” impairment in students with ASD and its implications for the educational programmes of these students; 2) help to equip staff of primary schools and special schools with the knowledge and skills to deliver training on “Theory of Mind” skill to enhance understanding of basic as well as more complex emotions and of emotional expressions in students with ASD, and to develop their pretend play acts;3) enrich existing teaching materials such as exemplars of programme planning and teaching materials on five more complex emotions and pretend; and 4) disseminate good practices, intervention strategies and resource materials on “Theory of Mind” to school staff and parents of primary and special school children in Hong Kong.

Funding Source: HKSAR Govt - Quality Education Fund (QEF)