Boundaries
Boundaries are a line you do not cross without permission. There are three types:
1. Personal Boundaries
- Personal space and what type of touch you are comfortable with.
- You can hug members of your family.
- You can fist bump or high-five your friends.
2. Social Boundaries
- How much we talk, text, hang out, and what we talk about.
- You can silence your phone while at work or at bedtime.
- You can choose to make plans to see your friends.
3. Environmental Boundaries
- Respecting the spaces and property we interact with throughout the day.
- You should ask permission before taking something that is not yours or entering a space that is not yours.
- You should keep a shared space clean.
- You should return borrowed items in the same condition you received them.
Setting Boundaries
To help me set boundaries, I can use words like…
- “I am not comfortable with…”
- “I am comfortable with…”
- “I want…”
- “I do not want…”
Remind others of your boundaries.
- “I told you I do not want hugs. If you keep hugging me, I will not come over to your house anymore.”
Respecting Boundaries
Listen to the boundaries of others.
Respect their boundaries by apologizing and changing your behavior.
- “I am sorry. You told me you do not like hugs. I will stop.”
Additional resources are available in the Social Skills section of our Resource Library.
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