Many of the main characters in Rules face special challenges and major obstacles in their lives. David has been diagnosed with autism and Jason cannot speak or walk on his own.” These issues also tend to isolate them: David does not comprehend the motives and social mores of other individuals; Jason’s ability to converse is limited by the vocabulary in his word book. With her friend Melissa gone for the summer, the one person with whom Catherine could discuss anything is absent. She faces the daily challenge of caring for a brother who will fully follow the rules she establishes for him. She receives little nurturing from her parents, who are absorbed in concern for her brother—even though they seem oblivious to his behaviors. Likewise, Kristi has been dropped into a new setting where she knows no one and is shuttled back and forth between separated parents. Kristi’s greatest obstacle is her fixation upon romance. Catherine’s parents do not demonstrate any closeness or depth of communication with one another. Both are focused upon their careers and their own interactions with David—though they disagree about how he should be treated.