This is a well trodden topic, but I thought I might share some of my thoughts on it. For many years now, the concept of partnership has occupied my mind constantly. Now instead of just asking "how?" I ask "why?".
My answer is to gain access to wider social circles and opportunities, gain emotional and moral support, personal enrichment and most of all a greater chance of survival.
Another important question is "what do I have to offer in exchange for this person's trust and attention, how can I make this work?". At present I feel it would be unfair for the other person as I feel incomplete and incompetent, unless they too were a novice and we could learn together.
Expanding on "why?", my reasons are to remedy isolation, improve empathy and life skills by caring and living for another and understanding what real "love" feels like, increasing my and their's chances of survival and quality of life.
Also, if my would be partner was either neurotypical or divergent, it might influence the trajectory and ultimate destination of the relationship, depending on their ambitions, goals and interests.
