What role does theory of mind play in social interactions for individuals with autism?

PostedDecember 2, 2025

UpdatedDecember 2, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Beatrice Holloway, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Autism and theory of mind are closely intertwined, as this cognitive ability is key to understanding how others think, feel, and perceive the world. In many autistic individuals, autism and theory of mind challenges can make it harder to intuit what someone else might be thinking or why they’re reacting a certain way. This can lead to misunderstandings in everyday conversations or difficulty predicting social outcomes.

A reduced capacity for perspective-taking may mean missing subtle cues like sarcasm, implied emotions, or changing social expectations. This doesn’t mean a lack of empathy, in fact, many autistic people feel deeply but they might struggle with decoding non-verbal signals or indirect language. Limited social understanding can make it tricky to join group chats, navigate conflict, or recognise when someone is joking versus being serious.

How It Can Affect Interactions

Here are a few common ways this shows up in social settings:

Difficulty guessing what others know or want

Someone might share too much detail or skip important context, unaware of what others are already thinking.

Trouble reading reactions in real-time

Without a strong theory of mind, it’s harder to pick up on disinterest, confusion, or discomfort mid-conversation.

Unexpected responses to emotional situations

An autistic person may not react in a way others expect not from apathy, but from a different understanding of the moment.

Support builds bridges. Visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Social Interaction.

Beatrice Holloway, MSc

Author

Beatrice Holloway is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She specialises in CBT, psychological testing, and applied behaviour therapy, working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, and learning disabilities, as well as adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, and substance use disorders. Holloway creates personalised treatment plans to support emotional regulation, social skills, and academic progress in children, and delivers evidence-based therapy to improve mental health and well-being across all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.