Teen Upset Over Doing All The House Chores While Her Autistic Roommate Does Nothing

"I dont want to bring up the problem again in case it upsets her"

Maryjane

• Published in Interesting
• June 17, 2023

It might be challenging to maintain good health and hygiene when you have an autism spectrum disorder. This means that for someone with autism, maintaining personal cleanliness might be challenging.

It could be as simple as their need to be reminded to take a shower, brush their teeth, wash their clothes, etc. This is because they don't grasp the value of personal cleanliness or the social repercussions.

There may be sensory concerns to take into account for some. Consider how much sensory stimulation there is when you take a bath or a shower, brush your teeth, shave, apply deodorant, etc.

The sensation of warm water on your skin, the intense scents of deodorant, shampoo, and soap, the taste and sensation of brushing your teeth, and the sounds of an echoing bathroom are all present. Most people like taking a bath or shower and feeling clean, but for someone with hypersensitivity, this can rapidly become overwhelming.

The original poster of today's story got fed up with her autistic roommate because she doesn't help with anything around the house. This is her first home away from her parents, so the OP figured that she would just take time to adjust, but she never did.

In fact, things got worse when her boyfriend started coming over, and you can read all about it below.

Introducing the story's title

The OP says this is her first home away from her parents so she figured that it would just take time for her to adjust

Let's head into the comments and find out what advice other Redditors have to give the original poster

The OP is not her parents and she needs to be clear on this

This Redditor is of the opinion that autism isn't a factor here

The OP might have to ask directly for her to do things

The OP is not the AH for what she wants

This is not autism but pure laziness

From a Redditor who had no verdict to give:

I'd try talking to her and asking what would help her remember. We have a chore list on the fridge for my kids for some items, and we have an Alexa that announces some of them - like Tuesdays at 8 pm it tells him the trash needs to go to the curb.

There's no way he or I would remember that once a week. Same with the recycling every other week. Help her put systems in place to get the chores done 👍

This is worth having a roommate meeting as issues need to be addressed

The OP is only enabling her by doing all the chores

Sitting her down and having a firm conversation about things

The OP needs to be clearer and set clear rules

The OP is advised not to clean up after her roommate and her boyfriend. It only reinforces that she will do it, and they can leave behind a mess.

OP should split the chores equitably and try not to re-sign a lease with her as she clearly is not capable of being a proper roommate yet. The OP was declared not the AH, and that is a wrap!

Maryjane