I was a little confused by the CNN article, but the papers conclusions have clarified:
Quote:
Experiencing negative affect, depression, or insecure attachment are surely relationship risk factors. But if people nevertheless manage to establish a relationship characterized by appreciation,
sexual satisfaction, and a lack of conflict—and they perceive
their partner to be committed and responsive—those individual
risk factors may matter little. That is, relationship quality is
predictable from a variety of constructs, but some matter more
than others, and the most proximal predictors are features that
characterize a person’s perception of the relationship itself.
You can pick a partner because you perceive that you can build a good partnership. 3/4 (in bold) can be identified through establishing friendship, though I understand not everyone is lucky enough to develop reciprocal romantic feelings with a friend.
I don't think individuals need to necessarily the same interests at the start of a relationship to make it work, but rather a sense of openness to others ideas/interests (especially in the case of those on the spectrum).