This makes them feel like they do not fit into society. This results in stress, loneliness and depressive symptoms. People with autism are 2.5 times more likely to develop depression and 10 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than the average Dutch person.
Psychological distress
That could be better, and it must be better. Because behind the psychological distress, social isolation and social stigmas lies a lot of untapped talent and valuable competencies.
The Nederlands Autisme Register (NAR) is a VU research institute about, for and by people with autism. For more than 10 years, the NAR has been helping to advance science with fundamental and practical research and working towards a more autism-friendly Netherlands. For example, NAR conducts unique research into the experiences of people with autism. These insights help people with autism and the extreme stress symptoms they experience. And it contributes to social awareness around autism.
'It would just be nice if there was a little more room in society to be able to be yourself.'
- Marijn Roorda, NAR participant
Interventions and participation
The NAR also develops and tests interventions that connect with autistic people and their needs, such as the StressAutismMate app, iSleep, and Moodbuster Autism to effectively help people with autism deal with stress, sleep problems, and mood symptoms.And the NAR helps people with autism to have their voices heard by governments, healthcare institutions and schools, among others, so that prejudice does not get in the way of full social participation of people with autism.
'Society is missing out on a lot of talent because of the prejudices and misunderstandings surrounding autism.'
- Vincent van Loenen, NAR ambassador
Research in cooperation with people with autism
Crucial here: involving autistic people themselves in research and application. So that the solutions fit with what autistic people really need.
Much of this research is made possible by subsidies and funds. These are essential, but often temporary and focused on specific projects. This leaves less room for further development, scaling up interventions and quickly responding to what autistic people need now.
We speak with people with autism instead of about them: nothing about us without us. And that is quite unique in this research world.'
- Sander Begeer, co-founder NAR and professor of clinical developmental psychology