“The Rules of Relationship Road”

Friendship, Romance, and ASD

Teresa Bolick, Ph.D.

March 2007

teresal.bolick@verizon.net

TIP # 1:

Take care of your body and appearance.

TIP #2:

Take care of your mind.

A Guiding Principle

“You can’t think right when your underwear’s too tight.”

Hanes Corp., 197?

TIP #3:

Volunteer.

TIP #4:

Find a peer coach.

TIP #5:

Learn to listen.

TIP #6:

Develop closer friendships.

TIP #7:

Learn the signals of romantic interest.

TIP #8:

Take a chance on love.

TIP #9:

Learn to manage disappointment and heartbreak.

“‘Tis better to have loved and lostThan never to have loved at all.”

Alfred Lord Tennyson, 1850

TIP #10:

Stay safe.

The Absolute Rule

“Stop” means “Stop” and

“No” means “No.”

Take Home Messages

• Remember Hanes

• Remember Lord Tennyson

• Remember John and Paul

“The long and winding road that leads to your door,

Will never disappear, I've seen that road before

It always leads me here, leads me to your door.”

(Lennon/McCartney, 1970)