ToM Theory of Mind/”Mind Blindness” is much more complex than reading non-verbal expression, however it is described as a spectrum of abilities/challenges, where the described difficulties can be much different in individuals across the Autism Spectrum.
The described abilities/challenges are also associated with ADHD and Schizophrenia.
Interestingly, perhaps ironically, a developmental milestone missed - the common tendency for small children to "lie" to avoid punishment, is a sign there could be a "difficulty".
It is also associated with blunt descriptive assessments of other people that do not assess potential "feelings".
I will never forget an Asperger’s support group meeting where a "little professor" asked the female speaker right in the middle of his monologue, "lady why are you wearing so much make up". His assessment was correct. :) But....
I still have to catch myself from doing things like that, that are not as obviously offensive. :)
Also interesting, in the ability to sense the pain of others, studies show that people diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome are more sensitive to a personal distress of seeing others in physical and/or emotional pain, as a type of emotional contagion. This is described as a heightened instinctual ability though, rather than what is described as ToM/Mind Blindness or what some describe as Cognitive Empathy.
Excellent descriptions by Wiki linked below.
Theory of Mind:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_mind
Cognitive vs. Affective Empathy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empathy#Cognitive_versus_affective_empathy
Personal Distress:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_distress
Autism, the Internet and "Ideological First Identity", a Collection of Thoughts:
http://katiemiaaghogday.blogspot.com/2013/05/autism-internet-and-ideological-first.html
Research last year, described in the link below, showed an association of androgynous physical features and "high functioning" individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
http://keithsneuroblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/autism-gender-defiant-disorder.html?spref=fb
A fairly easy objective measurement of androgyny presented in the description of the study linked above is 2d/4d digit ratio, on the right hand. A lower ratio is considered more of a biological male trait than female trait.
Simon Baron Cohen and associates, early last decade, found low digit ratio associated with individuals diagnosed with Autistic Disorder in research that was conducted, however the ratios among people diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome did not provide the same low correlation.
There is research by Andrew Whitehouse, from Australia, that suggests that high levels of exposure to prenatal testosterone, which is also associated with low 2d/4d digit ratio, is correlated with language development delays in males. Interestingly, high levels of exposure to prenatal testosterone among females, in his study, were reported as providing a protective effect on language development.
Whitehouse and associates are currently conducting research, in a five year longitudinal study, associated with exposure to prenatal testosterone specific to individuals on the spectrum.
A subjective judgment of Androgyny can be difficult because a personal assessment is usually based on facial characteristics which according to the study linked above was more highly identified among females with "high functioning" autism as compared to males.
To measure 2d/4d digit ratio one can use a metric ruler and measure from the finger tip to the crease of the right hand, and divide the measurement of the index finger by the ring finger. For example a 75 millimeter index finger divided by a 80 millimeter ring finger would be .9375.
I have been interested in the association of Androgyny and Asperger's for years, and created an informal poll for people reporting a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome from the Wrong Planet website, to assess their digit ratios. A very interesting discussion and results from the poll is linked below.
http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt215625.html
Autism, the Internet and "Ideological First Identity", a Collection of Thoughts:
http://katiemiaaghogday.blogspot.com/2013/05/autism-internet-and-ideological-first.html
