Table 1.

Friendships and romantic relationships experienced by the four groups

	SLI	PLI	ASD	Typical
Friendshipsa
Normal	15 (78.9)	3 (42.9)	0 (–)	12 (100)
Limited	2 (10.5)	2 (28.6)	4 (36.4)	0 (–)
Acquaintances	2 (10.5)	1 (14.3)	4 (36.4)	0 (–)
None	0 (–)	1 (14.3)	3 (27.3)	0 (–)
Romantic relationshipsb
Romantic relationship (greater than or equal to 3 months)	8 (53.3)	2 (50)	0 (–)	6 (100)
No romantic relationship	7 (47.7)	2 (50)	5 (100)	0 (–)

Notes: Date shown are the number (and proportion) of participants in each group.

Normal: has one or more friends of roughly their own age with whom they share a variety of interests and social activities.

Limited: has one or more ‘friends’ with whom they meet to share their interests outside of a prearranged setting, but limited in terms of restricted interests and responsiveness/reciprocity.

Acquaintances: people with whom the subject has some kind of personal relationship involving seeking contact, but only in a group situation or school/work.

None: no peer relationships that involve selectivity or sharing.

^aSLI = 19; PLI = 7; ASD = 11; Typical = 12.

^bSLI = 15; PLI = 4; ASD = 5; Typical = 6.