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Semin Speech Lang 2022; 43(04): 316-330
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750350
Review Article

A Review of the Nature and Development of Lying and Deception and Considerations for Teaching Prosocial Lying to Autistic Persons

Tiffany L. Hutchins
1   Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
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Abstract

Compared with their neurotypical (NT) counterparts, persons with autism appear to be less inclined to tell lies and less skilled in delivering sophisticated forms of deception. At the same time, some forms of deception like white lies and prosocial lies are frequent in human interaction because they are important for social success. This article challenges the reader to evaluate the therapeutic potential for prosocial deception and teaching white-lie telling to autistic persons. The nature and development of antisocial and prosocial lying in NT development and autism are reviewed. Considerations for when to (and when not to) teach the skill of empathic lying are discussed and recommendations for how to teach the comprehension and production of prosocial lies are offered.

Keywords

lying - deception - autism - teaching - prosocial lying


Publication History

Article published online:
27 July 2022

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