Self-Establishment as Tier-1 Foundation: An LMT Analysis of Good Life and Boundary Optimization in Human Development

Self-Establishment is a gentle yet vital process of building one’s own axis (Tier-1) rather than relying excessively on others’ evaluations. Drawing on Simpson et al. (2026), which identified four key conditions for autistic children to live a “good life,” this paper reinterprets these findings through the lens of Load Minimization Theory (LMT). It argues that appropriate boundary setting reduces Uncertainty (U) and Friction (F), while nurturing a stable self that leads to An-soku (deep relational rest). This approach is not limited to ASD but offers universal implications for all humans seeking to form warm, Wavy Equal relationships while remaining true to themselves.