There are several flavor-free toothpastes available (on Amazon US, at least) if it’s the taste that’s irritating. I can’t vouch for their texture or effectiveness, but I’ve known several flavor-sensitive people who have found success with being able to use them.

This looks like an email my boomer dad would forward to everyone he knows.

I just want to say that I really appreciate your post. I’ve wondered about this and the comments have been enlightening.

This. My college psych professor said, “It’s only a disorder if it interferes with your daily life.”

Chipmunks. I once went to a zoo in Chicago with someone who grew up in South Africa and he was more fascinated with the chipmunks running along the paths than with anything else at the zoo.

We use a pure-clay, non-clumping litter for that reason. I hate the chemical smell of the clumping litters. I’ve also heard really great things about wood pellets.

I usually borrow audio books from my library. You could check to see if your library has that option.

I came here for this.

My mother once handed me the manual to a dishwasher to prove that I was loading mine “wrong.” Turns out I was doing it the way the manual recommended. She had never actually opened said manual.

Came here for this reply.

This was some informal “research” I did with my family a friends a few years ago. It seems to be consistent with the published research I’ve found about pencil grasp variation.

I know all of these people, some of them have autism or other neurological differences, and there was no correlation between pencil grasps and neurological differences.

If the scar is new, massaging it frequently (using some type of serum or oil to reduce friction) can help reduce the size and how much it is raised.

If it’s more than a year post-injury, only a plastic surgeon could help.

(Info from brief training on scar management in grad school and doctor’s advice after having stitches.)

I’m sorry you went through that!

Sad I can only upvote this once!

If you’re on the constipation side, try adding magnesium supplements.

My state (republican trifecta) requires a signature at the polling place that matches your voter registration card or photo ID card. I assume they can audit these if there’s a question.

Yes! Interoception is considered the 8th sensory system and ties in with the sensory processing differences common in autism. An occupational therapist familiar with interoception can help. Kelly Mahler has some good resources (and a whole curriculum for sale, but look for the free stuff).

I know this isn’t the same as a friendship or intimate partnership developed between adults, but there are a lot of times I don’t understand my (teen and adult) kids, but I will always love them.

My sister-in-law stayed with me for two months in 2007. We each moved to different states soon after that. I still get mailers at least twice a year addressed to her at my house offering to buy the time share neither of us ever owned.

Thank you for this question and this reply, as I have wondered the same thing about testosterone levels and never thought of this part of the issue.