Discussion Should assisted suicide be legal for autists?

[BornToFail]

It is a death sentence.

 

[Suicidebydeath]

I don't see why not. I hate when people put down others for being different. People get put down for being abused, all sorts of things. I had horrible nightmares about this last night. Just because someone might be autistic isn't another reason to rob them of autonomy. I'm sorry for everyone that has to go through these experiences of being unfairly humiliated and so on.

 

[makethepainstop]

It is a death sentence.

I wish I knew enough about awe tisim to comment. Do autistic people die early?

 

[Gloom]

yeah, the alternative is living a shitty unfulfilling life. im sick of being called a psychopath and slow. no one has the patience for autists

 

[FuneralGrey]

Not everyone considers ASD to be a death sentence, but certainly, some people I know experience it as an insurmountable barrier that will stop them from ever feeling like they might lead a meaningful, fulfilling life.

For people with autism without a co-morbid intellectual disability, I see no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to access assisted suicide.

For those who do also have an intellectual disability, I don't know enough to say. For example, I'm not sure (and it probably depends on the person) if someone with an intellectual disability can appreciate what death means or adequately express their suffering or lack thereof. But if they can express that they want to die, I see no reason why they should be denied. You don't have to fully be able to understand death and all its implication to say "I want out," in my opinion.

 

[FuneralCry]

Assisted suicide should be legal to everyone, everywhere regardless of their circumstances. No one should have to struggle so much as they plan to leave this world, people should be able to peacefully exit without all of the stigma and secrecy surrounding suicide, and also nobody should be expected to continue an existence that they never asked for in such a cruel world where luck determines everything and where so many people suffer through no fault of their own.

But yes, autism is a death sentence, at least for me. It has always been tiring existing in a world in which I don't belong in and was never meant for. Some people are simply not suited for life and this fact should be accepted by society. There is no benefit to prolonging suffering for decades on end just to die anyway eventually. I will never understand those people who think that suicide is worse than suffering, these people are very ignorant.

 

[IfyouareamanWinston]

Anyone who can understand the concept of death and what that means should have the autonomy to choose that for themselves. If society want to prevent those deaths they should provide resources to help improve the quality of life so those people would no longer seek death.

 

[Anonymus]

Keep in mind that today they no longer distinguish between Autism and Asperger's and it is popularly called the same, I would say that yes, it should be legal.
But I admit that when I was 17 years old no one should have paid attention to me if I had asked, because then I was in full adolescence and I was a slob from head to toe with an immaturity worthy of study. How fortunate that that time has already passed... by this I mean that the maturity of the person and their ability to make well-founded decisions should be valued, above other secondary aspects such as autism or disability intellectual (there are 14-year-old people who give a good review to 30-year-olds).

//

Tenin en compte que avuí día ja no distingeixen entre Autisme i Asperger i popularment s'anomena igual diría que si, que hauría de ser legal.
Peró reconec que quan jo tenía 17 anys ningú m'hauria d'haver fotut cas si l'hagués demanat, perquè llavors estava en plena adolescència i era jo un babau de cap a peus i amb una immaduresa digna d'estudi. Quina sort que aquella época ja va passar... amb això vull dir que s'hauría de valorar la maduresa de la persona i la seva capacitat per prendre decisions ben fonamentades, per sobre d'altres aspectes secundaris com l'autisme o la discapacitat intel·lectual (hi ha gent amb 14 anys que dona un bon repàs a gent de 30 anys).

 

[madebrief]

I think people with autism can live a full life.

You are asking about assisted suicide for a small number of disability when it is not even legal in almost all countries in the world. We shouldn't focus on one group but make it legal for everyone when they wish to go.

 

[makethepainstop]

How bad is autism to live with? Are these folks in pain?

 

[The Abyss]

Absolutely, so many on the spectrum are treated like shit for not "fitting" in.

How bad is autism to live with? Are these folks in pain?

Every day, I attend a group for those on the spectrum & many are semi-shut ins with a lack of social network/support, no job prospects & no love life, tales of being bullied. They're not dumb ppl, above average intelligence I'd say but lacking an over-exaggeration of ability attitude & quite humble really.

Just different.

 

[makethepainstop]

Absolutely, so many on the spectrum are treated like shit for not "fitting" in.

Every day, I attend a group for those on the spectrum & many are semi-shut ins with a lack of social network/support, no job prospects & no love life, tales of being bullied. They're not dumb ppl, above average intelligence I'd say but lacking an over-exaggeration of ability attitude & quite humble really.

Just different.

Not right to treat those folks like that. I wish I was powerful and rich enough to make changes for those of us who are different.

 

[Dark Moon]

Yeah definitely, I have trouble fitting in and there's little to no support if you're an adult either and just living a shit life compared to NT's. I think assisted suicide should be available in general but especially for people with autism or any health conditions.

 

[CTB Dream]

Think samy neur diverge, never same human all different brain way live etc unique keep discrimination attack bully. Now problem not this worse brain veg not matter diverge not , damage injury make own thing no classify, need go leave,

 

[Jupit3rs]

I think everyone should have the option... I'm autistic myself, but that's not the reason why I want to die, existence as a whole is my issue. Some of us are just not for life... my soul doesn't fit with this place at all

 

[sleeps]

it should be available and accessible to all. denying anyone the choice to leave this world on their own terms is cruel

 

[JayLa16]

I think assisted suicide should be available to anyone for any reason. Even if there was some type of protocol/waiting period...like: first clinic visit, you tell them you want assisted suicide...3 months later you go again and if the answer is still yes, they set a date for 3 months later and if you're STILL sure then, they do it...if not, they start the 6 month waiting period over. That way it's not an impulsive decision, and people can also give themselves time to see if their lives can improve at all and get their affairs in order. Just wishful thinking ❤

 

[actual_fox]

lacking an over-exaggeration of ability attitude

What does It mean? Like when NTs are good in something they rub it in your face- that is what you mean? I agree tho, I see this in my friends in college.

As a person who is neurodivergent I feel misunderstood and sometimes incomprehensible, but not in some grandiose way. It is more like having weird worldviews that are global and really dictate how I act instead of putting them aside.

 

[The Abyss]

What does It mean? Like when NTs are good in something they rub it in your face- that is what you mean? I agree tho, I see this in my friends in college.

As a person who is neurodivergent I feel misunderstood and sometimes incomprehensible, but not in some grandiose way. It is more like having weird worldviews that are global and really dictate how I act instead of putting them aside.

Nt's tend to exaggerate how good they are at things or become arrogant when better at something than others, boastful.

Many autists I see sell themselves short.

 

[GasMonkey]

No, assisted suicide should be legal FOR EVERYBODY.

 

[chronicrexie]

I don't think every autistic person lives a terrible, unfulfilled life. There are lots of autistic people I've known who have lots of friends, attend university and are able to get past their struggles. However for some of us unluckier ones we are riddled with comorbid mental illness and social isolation.

 

[squidhead]

It should be legal... for EVERYONE. Sure, regulate it, make it 18+ whatever but no one (not the state, not the church, not any professional, not anyone else) should get to decide what you want to do with your life as long as its not harming others. (emotional distress doesnt count as everyone is responsible for their own emotions/feelings).
Theres not one good argument to be made against euthanasia being legal and its barbaric its still not.

 

[eldiablo666]

Assisted suicide should be legal to everyone, everywhere regardless of their circumstances. No one should have to struggle so much as they plan to leave this world, people should be able to peacefully exit without all of the stigma and secrecy surrounding suicide, and also nobody should be expected to continue an existence that they never asked for in such a cruel world where luck determines everything and where so many people suffer through no fault of their own.

But yes, autism is a death sentence, at least for me. It has always been tiring existing in a world in which I don't belong in and was never meant for. Some people are simply not suited for life and this fact should be accepted by society. There is no benefit to prolonging suffering for decades on end just to die anyway eventually. I will never understand those people who think that suicide is worse than suffering, these people are very ignorant.

I didn't know you had autism.

I agree, everyone should have the right.

There's different level of autism

 

[Poisonblood]

It should be legal to those who want it. Let people do whatever they want to their own bodies as long as they don't force it on others.

 

[BipolarExpress]

On principle, I say no. Autism should not be used as a criterion for assisted suicide if we use the Medical Aid in Dying guidelines; it smacks too much of eugenics. Nor should any other disability. I'm still pro-choice, though: I'd rather see the drugs available on the open market for anyone who is desperate enough to end their life. Not because I want to encourage suicide, but because I want to reduce the harm. Jumping on trains, filling a room with carbon monoxide, or deliberately putting yourself in a train's path all have a higher likelihood of traumatising other people around you than drinking a poison or taking fentanyl. Worse, jumping from a height could harm or kill someone else. Killing yourself by train has a high likelihood of giving the driver and anyone else tasked with cleaning the mess a nice case of PTSD. If you fill a room with CO to kill yourself, you're going to kill them, too.

I'm autistic and want to kill myself in part for some of the shame that my being autistic engenders. That said, though, I would rather not be singled out for needing assisted suicide for autism. Just get the the bottle of legal N, please. I know there are lots of people who live happily with their autism, but I'm not one of them. There's too much shame there.

 

[PurpleMonkey]

Canada will eventually allow people to apply for MAID on the basis of "mental disorders". All you need is two separate doctors confirming that your condition is deliberating and unchangeable enough to warrant drastic measures.

If a doctor's ID is properly anonymous so as to avoid social media flak, this could be a viable option - for Canadians at least. It also helps if there's a financial predicament tied to your disorder (i.e can't find work due to your autism etc)

 

[yuzuchan]

I'm autistic i didn't find out till I finished school and was trying to work. I'm 30 and still feel like a teen when we have family gatherings and the "adults" are gathered i find it funny i still view it like that.

I'm not one of them im shy from my own family clumsy procrasnate on anything dont know how to do simple things lost jobs from being to slow inability to keep up.

I don't think I'm unintelligent my mind is just different due to unsocialablity I've been bullied and used my whole life from not being able to see it.

I've used video games as a crutch my whole life its all I do with my time because its the only thing I'm good at.

An example of something I feel like ill miss when I ctb is aw I won't get to play breath of the wild 2.

Which is so insane and meaningless yet im sad about it.
I'm kinda on a unknown time scadule and need to get it over with.

If assisted suicide was around id have gone around a year ago when j failed my first attempt (charcoal methord)
I have no idea why I didn't pass out to this day and it makes me anixous about taking my sn still today

 

[nolifer]

First of all it's very closed minded to say autistic people shouldn't be allowed to ctb. Do you have the answers to the universe? What if life was a simulation, a test of who the smartest people are who figure out that the only way to win is to ctb asap. We just don't know what the truth is.

Secondly autism is a spectrum.

Thirdly, I think autistic people are kind of like sentient AI. Smarter than normal people. There's a saying that autistic people are the best software engineers. The way their brains are wired look at the details and problem solving, black and white thinking. But yes it comes at the cost of having more difficult time socializing with non-autistic people. Think of it in a fantasy setting, if you could receive a great power to wield godly magic but at the cost of maybe losing one of your six senses like not being able to taste food any longer. An exchange between power vs pleasure. Btw, I haven't studied psychiatry so take that with a grain of salt lol.

I've also heard sayings about autistic people being stubborn and refuse to admit being wrong so people insult each other by calling each other autists whenever they have arguments on the internet. But I don't know if there's any real science behind that. I can imagine it being somewhat true, but it comes down to the autist looking at something in a black and white perspective, being ultimately right, so the non-autistic person have difficulties to understand that perspective and thus they come to a disagreement.