A study conducted by specialists at the United Kingdom's Kingston University examined several cases, including five individuals under the age of 30 who cited autism as a factor in their decision to seek legal euthanasia.
According to the report from Kingston University, factors directly associated with intellectual disability and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) were the sole cause of suffering in 21% of cases and a major contributing factor in an additional 42% of cases. The study also highlighted that doctors often determined there was "no prospect of improvement" for intellectually challenged individuals due to the lack of available treatments for their condition.
The reasons for seeking euthanasia included social isolation and loneliness (77%), lack of resilience or coping strategies (56%), lack of flexibility in thinking or difficulty adapting to change (44%), and oversensitivity to stimuli (26%). The study emphasized that in one-third of cases, physicians noted that there was no hope for improvement as ASD and intellectual disability are not treatable.
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Palliative care specialist Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, one of the lead authors of the Kingston University report, revealed that Dutch doctors were legally euthanizing patients who sought their own euthanasia because their intellectual disability or mental condition prevented them from leading a normal life. Tuffrey-Wijne questioned whether society is truly comfortable with the message being sent, that there is no other way to help these individuals and that death is the only solution.
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The report highlighted the case of a Dutch woman in her 30s with autism and borderline personality disorder, whose conditions made it difficult for her to maintain relationships and form connections with others. Doctors determined that her afflictions were too burdensome for her to bear.
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Tuffrey-Wijne expressed her certainty that these individuals were indeed suffering, but raised the question of whether society should accept that there is no alternative to their suffering and that death is the best option.
Dutch psychologist Dr. Bram Sizoo expressed horror at the increasing acceptance of assisted suicide and euthanasia among autistic youths. He noted that some of them are almost excited at the prospect of death, believing it will bring an end to their problems and their family's problems.
The Royal Dutch Medical Association has delegated the decision of who qualifies for assisted suicide to medical professionals, providing few hard guidelines or rules.
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