I Refuse to Raise My Autistic Little Brother | Reddit Stories

In this week's Reddit Stories episode, Jordan and Simon discuss three neurodivergent dilemmas involving boundaries, brutal honesty, family expectations and when neurodivergence explains behaviour — but doesn't necessarily excuse it.

First, someone kicks their friend's autistic friend out of their home after they repeatedly ignore boundaries, burp in their face and start handling their expensive hearing aids without permission. Jordan and Simon discuss autism and social cues, respecting personal space, medical devices, direct communication and the difference between struggling to recognise an unspoken social rule and ignoring someone who has explicitly told you to stop.

Next, a new mum clashes with her 19-year-old neurodivergent sister-in-law after being told that her six-month-old baby isn't actually that cute. When the sister-in-law becomes determined to make her admit it, Jordan and Simon discuss autistic bluntness, honesty versus unnecessary rudeness, learning social conventions, family members excusing behaviour because of neurodivergence and why sometimes you really don't need to say the thing you're thinking.

Finally, a 20-year-old woman is told by her father that if he dies, she should take responsibility for raising her five-year-old autistic brother — despite his mother still being perfectly capable of caring for him. Jordan and Simon explore the pressure placed on siblings of disabled children, parental expectations, guilt, independence and whether being family means accepting a responsibility you never chose.

The stories discussed in this episode are public Reddit posts. Titles may be shortened for readability, and all opinions expressed are those of the original posters.

• AITAH for kicking out my friend's neurodivergent friend, for what I felt was ignoring boundaries and touching my most personal stuff?

• AITA for telling my parents that if they died right now I would not take in my autistic little brother?

• AITA for being harsh with my neurodivergent SIL?

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