Autistic people and those with a learning disability under the age of 30 have been choosing euthanasia in the Netherlands, it’s emerged.
Researchers based in the Netherlands and the UK looked at the records of 927 people who have ended their lives.
Researcher professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne questions whether there is a better way to help autistic people choosing euthanasia in the Netherlands
The 927 were among a total of 60,000 people who chose to die in the Netherlands between 2012 and 2021.
Autism or learning disability the reason for wanting to die
Dutch authorities released case files on the 927 to show how the country’s euthanasia policy works.
Most who opted to end their lives were older and had illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson’s and the neurological disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
But some in the sample were much younger and cited only their autism or a learning disability as the reason they wanted to die.
The researchers found 39 patients among the 927 who were autistic and/or had a learning disability.
Five people aged between 18 and 29 were among those who chose to end their lives.
‘Unbearable suffering’ of loneliness and social isolation
In 30 of the autistic/learning-disabled cases (77 per cent), loneliness and social isolation were listed as factors that led to the person’s “unbearable suffering” and plea for euthanasia.
Professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, a palliative care specialist at London’s Kingston University, led the research.
She told the Associated Press she had “no doubt” that those who ended their lives were suffering.
But she questioned whether society was happy to send the message that “there’s no other way to help them and it’s just better to be dead”.
‘Too many’ have mental health problems through loneliness
Tim Nicholls is the head of influencing and research at the National Autistic Society.
He said “too many” autistic people can end up developing mental health problems such as anxiety or depression because of loneliness.
Autism Eye contacted the Dutch government but did not receive a response.
The researchers published their study in BJPsych Open.
Related:
- Tory MP ‘appalled’ by suicide rate
- Four in five suffer poor mental health
- Still stuck in mental health hospitals
- Mental health problems go undiagnosed
- Scandal of child mental health spending
Published: 14 July 2023
