Beyond false beliefs: the development and psychometric evaluation of the perceptions of children's theory of mind measure-experimental version (PCToMM-E).
A short parent survey can reliably map a child’s theory-of-mind level and flag delays in autism and typical development.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Matson et al. (2008) built a new caregiver form called the PCToMM-E.
Parents answer questions about their child’s everyday mind-reading skills.
The team checked if scores stayed stable over time and if they matched direct lab tasks.
Kids with autism and typically developing kids both took part.
What they found
The questionnaire showed strong test-retest reliability.
It tracked theory-of-mind growth without hitting a ceiling until late childhood.
Scores lined up with lab tasks for both groups.
How this fits with other research
Hagopian et al. (1999) created an earlier direct child test called the TOM test.
The PCToMM-E flips the format: parents report instead of kids performing.
Goodwin et al. (2012) later published the ToMI, another parent checklist.
Both the PCToMM-E and ToMI avoid ceiling effects and catch delays in autism.
Amorim et al. (2025) widened the lens.
They showed IQ and social-communication traits predict ToM scores better than diagnosis alone.
This supports using tools like the PCToMM-E across labels, not just autism.
Why it matters
You now have a quick parent form that gives a trustworthy picture of a child’s social-cognitive level.
Use it during intake to spot delays early, write goals, and track growth without repeated direct testing.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
The Perceptions of Children's Theory of Mind Measure (Experimental version; PCToMM-E) is an informant measure designed to tap children's theory of mind competence. Study one evaluated the measure when completed by primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Scores demonstrated high test-retest reliability and correlated with verbal mental age and ToM task battery performance. No ceiling effects were observed. In addition, caregivers accurately predicted their children's ToM task battery performance. In study two the scores of primary caregivers of typically developing children demonstrated high test-retest reliability and distinguished children on the basis of age and developmental status. Ceiling effects were not evident until late childhood. The utility of the PCToMM-E and directions for future research are discussed.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2008 · doi:10.1007/s10803-007-0377-1