Are therapeutic untruths acceptable when talking to a person with a learning disability?

While no one wants to tell direct lies, therapeutic untruths can be beneficial but should be monitored to avoid the chance of them being misused

Research suggests that the use of ‘untruths’ is relatively common in our personal lives, but the idea of using any form of deception with people who have a learning disability can make us feel uncomfortable.

What are therapeutic untruths?

The use of deception is common and can come in many forms. Less explicit forms of deception might include missing out particular bits of information that might cause someone distress (a deliberate omission), avoiding a topic altogether or distracting someone when they try to discuss it. Similarly, it may involve colluding with someone or failing to challenge something that