There was a good decade where I barely brushed my teeth. And I was severely judgmental to myself about that.

But it wasn't because "I'm a crap person who can't do adult things." 1/2

#ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #AuDHD #Sensory #Interoception

It was because "I have a lot of oral sensitivities, and the toothbrush actually triggers my gag reflex. Of course I don't want that. That's my body's way of saying there's something toxic in my mouth and trying to expel it."

That's not a character flaw. That's my nervous system doing its job.

@hmm_cook
I had a similar thing, for me it was also the toothpaste, something about the sensation of it just... *shudder* I've been brushing without toothpaste for a few years now a lot more patient with myself on the days I can't.