Some Dutch people seeking euthanasia cite autism or intellectual disabilities, researchers say

[WhisperingAutistic]

apnews.com/article/euthanasia-autism-intellectual-disabilities-netherlands-b5c4906d0305dd97e16da363575c03ae

"Many of the patients cited different combinations of mental problems, physical ailments, diseases or aging-related difficulties as reasons for seeking euthanasia. Thirty included being lonely as one the causes of their unbearable pain. "

How awful to think they were that lonely or mentally affected by their autism that they went through with euthanasia.
So unbelievably sad.

Sad but not unusual. Most people do exclude autistic people. Mostly they don’t intend to be mean and they don’t actively bully them, it’s more like “I don’t want to be your friend so I’m going to avoid you”. But when EVERYONE treats you like that it ruins your life. I know from bitter experience.

This is 18 people in a span of 10 years - yes really awful that someone would be that low, they are basically describing suicidal ideation.

But being 18/60,000 people - the article is basically saying this is a reason that euthanasia is immoral or shouldn't be allowed. I think you probably just need better guidance around people suffering from mental health problems such as depression (or possible depression even if not diagnosed).

There is a difference IMO between a terminal/chronic illness which is progressive and is going to get worse over time and something like autism which just is, it doesn't get worse or better, it's more to do with the environment.

This is hard to take in as I read only recently that autism improves with age. I find mine has on the whole.

I've found the opposite. My traits are much worse.

Could you change to self employment which is quieter and easier to cope with? I found working as an employee ended up really bad for me. I am so much happier as I can manage the environment better. You also have more time to work on the relationship with yourself. If that makes sense.

It's something I'm looking at.
I was a full time carer till recently and then went back into employment. I'm just not coping at all.
I think having children and a house to look after make everything far harder too.

Totally. I am 59 and I have raised ds alone since he was 5 months old with zero family support (all deceased). He has no special needs of his own but his dad's family all live 100 miles away ( I moved away from London to live mortgage free when ds was just 3). So I have only had very modest help. I think having been a carer you are used to being independent. I hate conforming to a group's endless rules! Just makes me miserable.

Hopefully you will find something more conducive to do at home and things will pick up. You can always DM me if you need a listening ear.

I second that.

I think my late diagnosis has something to do with it, dropping the mask (to some extent) and being more honest about what I can cope with and what I can't, and menopause.

Totally agree that's what it is for me. I'm in peri and I've spent the last few years trying to drop the mask. I'm happier by far but much more noticeably autistic.
I went to the zoo today and there was a section when you could feed one of the animals and I got proper excited and started flapping. I corrected myself straight away but I don't think I've stimmed in that way since I was a child!