| The best kinds of people to have around you are | | | | to be yourself, do the right thing and still be a |
| the caring kind. They are what we think of as | | | | part of the crowd. |
| 'true' friends. Getting to know who's who can be | | | | 4. If you make a mistake, a true friend helps you |
| most interesting and sometimes most challenging. | | | | feel better. A true friend does not make you feel |
| This advice is universal. It fits for anyone of any | | | | dumb, gossip to others or criticize you. |
| age when making decisions about who to bring | | | | 5. A true friend gives you space and privacy if |
| into your life and heart as a friend. However, | | | | you want it. You don't have to explain or wonder |
| these tips are stated in a way that will be | | | | if your friend will be upset if you prefer to do |
| especially helpful for tweens and teens as well as | | | | something your own way, on your own time. |
| for kids and adults with ADHD, Autism or | | | | 6. When you have problem, a true friend |
| Asperger Syndrome. These tips will be useful for | | | | encourages you to find people you trust to help |
| those who have a difficult time picking up the | | | | you take the right steps to solve it. to tell you to |
| cues and clues that give them the 'Go!' or the 'No!' | | | | talk to an adult or with the right experience. |
| when it comes to friendship. | | | | 7. True friends understand how much you can do. |
| Here are eight tips to guide you to recognize a | | | | If your parents don't permit you to go out on |
| true friend: | | | | school nights, a true friend will stick by you when |
| 1. Do you feel your friend cares about what you | | | | you can be together. |
| have to say? A real friend pays attention while | | | | 8. A true friend lets you have other friends. You |
| you are talking and asks questions if he or she | | | | don't have to worry about a true friend getting |
| does not fully understand your situations or feeling | | | | upset if you spend time with someone else. |
| before giving advice about it. | | | | There are so many different ways youcan spend |
| 2.True friends are interested in what is good for | | | | time with people. You might have a certain friend |
| you not for what you can give to them or do for | | | | who loves to play basketball with you and other |
| them. A true friend would advise you to do only | | | | friends who are your movie or concert friends. |
| what is safe, smart and helpful to you. It helps | | | | This does not mean dropping your friend for |
| sometimes to see if other people you like and | | | | something else. Real friends have mutual respect |
| respect also like your new friend. | | | | and make room for each other to do what they |
| 3. Do you ever feel pressure to do something | | | | want. |
| you don't want to do? If you feel this way, it is | | | | This guide is also a good way to evaluate how |
| your true friends who can help you sort out how | | | | good a friend you are to others! |