"Why is it even a thing" is the best way to summarize this post. Yaaaay!!

Not understanding faces is a small part of big puzzle. Just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean I don't "understand" autism. Anyone can misinterpret anything, but MY understanding of her concept is that it's interesting and it wasn't disrespectful to my AU loved ones.

She's not advocating anything, though, and she's not claiming any type of authority on AU. She used her platform to invite the public to participate in an interesting concept, and that's it. Why would she need to have in-depth AU experience to explore an idea? The world would never move forward using that train of…

I think you've read more into this than the artist intended. She isn't doing anything scientific, not does she claim actual correlation, more of coincidence. Maybe emoticons don't help you, but they definitely help as tools to other AU's. My husband has a greater chance of being struck by lightening than of studying a…

We're atheist. Both stepsons are in scouts and they meet at a church. Truly it depends on the troop and leaders. God is rarely mentioned.

Regardless of real picture, drawing, cartoon, emoticon, etc there is TONS of research on the subject. Click the link and read the article. It's an observation by an artist who has an interest in breaking down barriers of misinterpretation and exploring the concept of everyone being "on the spectrum" in some manner.

Yep. The link says river levels are down and the fish are starving. Just wait until 70 sharks attack. If we are IN their habitat, it's NOT their fault, it's ours. Food is food, and we're food.

You are describing a dream home. I would consider my mom cured if I could enter a room and see a bed. Maybe your mom is addicted to shopping, sounds like she hides her purchases? Have you spoken to her about it? Hoarders can be very defensive and rage / defend their special things.

Yes, rats and bugs and mold and decay. Which would normally cause alarm in someone's home.

BOTH of my sisters bought me footed onesies and I'm 46!!! Cookie monster and sock monkey, cute as hell. I can't believe how comfortable they are, but hubs is scared he'll never have sex again.

She didn't try to shame you in any way. She offered you good, sincere, non- judgemental, experience-based advice regardless of whether or not you use it.

That's good advice.

You're mom is much higher class than mine. Williams Sonoma?! I guess there are first-class hoarders ��

My tables and counters are kept clean and bare. I love beautiful granite and big spaces. I don't put anything in my house that isn't functional. It makes me feel safe if that makes sense. My world falls apart when I have to enter her home. Not the annual christmas party, that's just a big weird facade anyway.

Oh I know. It embarrasses me to take anyone there except for her Christmas party when they throw everything in the other rooms and LOCK the doors to bedrooms and office, other bathrooms, etc. Your 2 car garage is the 2 rooms my mother had built onto her home about 4 yrs ago. The intention was for her home nurse to…

Your story is y-o-u-r story. My mother is a hoarder, and for you to label anyone who deals with a relative hoarding as being judgemental...that makes you a genuine dick.

Ugh are we related? Children of hoarders should have support groups. It is so far beyond embarrassing that it's stressful to even think about Christmas at any time of year.

I agree.

Sounds like a great day. We enjoy our own company, too.

I have nothing to say except thank you for typing all that and sharing. My own nutty family is conservative nutball religious kooks, but they do love me. They actually study me like I'm a science experiment gone wrong. I'm patiently, secretly waiting for my switched-at-birth parents to find me.
Please reach out to some…