The Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations

by Brenda Smith Myles, Melissa L. Trautman, Ronda L. Schelvan

In the revised and expanded edition of this popular book, the authors narrow their target to issues common to adolescents and young adults. While many of the features of the original book have been maintained, information on evidence-based practice has been added. Further, a series of instructional strategies are provided that can be used to teach the hidden curriculum. Instructional aids include charts, forms, and templates designed to make the job of teaching and learning the hidden curriculum more effective.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Psychology, Nonfiction, Parenting

107 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2004

About the author

Brenda Smith Myles is an American author and researcher on the topic of the autism spectrum. As of 2021, she has written more than 300 articles and books on autism spectrum disorder. She was once found to be the world's second most productive applied researcher in ASD, by the University of Texas.

Reviews

[Vanessa Hatcher]

This was a book the school lent me to help with Ian. It was very interesting to look at simple social rules that most of us take for granted and to see all the ways kids w/ autism never pick up on. (Fx. during silent reading, read in your mind, not out loud--it may sounds silly, but Ian has a problem with this. The first time I really talked to him about reading in his head, he had no idea that you could and should do something like that.) It wasn't a very in depth book, but a good overview of techniques to teach these rules and several lists of rules that you might not even think to teach.

[Katie]

I can see how this book was a big deal when it first came out, but I was disappointed the 2024 version didn't have more updated. It seems to be based on a medical view of autism as something we need to fix, with the warnings that the autistic person shouldn't argue or have any feelings about these rules. And the rules are often not written in a specific and concrete enough way... how close is too close when standing in line? Is there such a thing as too far away? I loved the first few chapters about the autistic brain, but the rest of the book fell flat for this aspie OT.

[Mike]

This book was recommended/assigned to me by a therapist. I wish I'd found it 20 or 30 years ago. The majority of the book is lists of specific 'do's and 'don't's of how to act in various social situations. These attempt to be exhaustive lists, and probably come as close as can be reasonably expected.

While I was familiar with all the items on the list, I'm non-NT enough that I flagged a number of the items. I knew the basic principles, but they seemed like issues that might have several different forms in the real world, and more nuanced answers would be required. What I'm trying to say is that I found this book's value to be that it could be the starting point for a number of conversations.

The one thing that felt missing was strategies of how to accomplish these goals. For example, there were places where the book essentially said certain kinds of stims are bad, but didn't offer much guidance about how to get over them. Or the book recommended discussing one rule per day without any guidance on approaches to memorization. But I suppose this is the tradeoff for a book that's almost exactly 100 pages. All in all, it's admirably short and to the point. And it's worth pointing out that, while I consider the original subtitle a bit misleading, the 'Revised and Expanded' book's subtitle emphasizes that it's about 'Unstated Rules', rather than 'Practical Solutions', which is exactly what the book is.

[Chet Taranowski]

Conceptually an excellent book. Really good for adolescents on the spectrum and or adults who may have more wide ranging social skills deficits. The book spells out some of those unwritten rules of interpersonal relationship which are often missed by people in this population.

Not so good for late-diagnosed people on the spectrum, simply because it assumes very profound deficits. So it might be considered too basic. Someone needs to write a similar book for this group.

[Samantha Lim]

I read the hidden curriculum because I'm very interesting in Intellectual Disabilities and ways to help them learn, there minds etc. I read this book because often times people with autism have a hard time with the "Hidden Curriculum" this book opened my eyes to some of the things that may be hard for them to understand. However it was very short and did seem to be more list heavy than anything.

[Annie Ren]

This book is fairly basic. It is intended for those who are only getting started in the social world. High-functioning adults may find that other books are more likely to contain information that they do not already know, such as books by Leil Lowndes.

[Annie Claire]

This book is fairly basic. It is intended for those who are only getting started in the social world. High-functioning adults may find that other books are more likely to contain information that they do not already know, such as books by Leil Lowndes.

[A.J. Richard]

Lots of useful info and good examples. The only shortcoming is over reliance on binary gender norms.

[Kālikā]

"If you are thirsty from swimming, do not drink the pool water." I was expecting something a little less basic, great advice tho I'll keep it in mind.

[Raymond Budd]

Needs More Advice for Adults

Most of this book is for little kids. I found some of the tips good but needs more suggestions for adults in the workplace.

[K]

1.5 stars rounded up.

I started reading a preview of this book online and loved it, so I bought it. The more I read, the more I regretted this choice. The mini case studies throughout were great, and I think the first few chapters were a good read, but after that, I just got frustrated.

It's meant for "all ages" and is thus written to be accessible. I love this, I really do, but I take huge objection to phrases like "special bathroom supplies" - you can say period. Don't enforce a sense of shame or taboo. On that note, telling readers to learn what music is cool (and noting that this does not include classical or opera music!) is so judgemental? For a book about neurodiversity, why are we so afraid of being different?! "It is not cool to hug and kiss your parents around friends" - what a fantastic bloody message, huh. Oh, and I shouldn't have said that if I were at a table - the word "blood" should be avoided. As should putting ketchup all over your food, apparently.

I naively assumed that an anniversary edition of this book, released in 2024, might have been updated somewhat. It hasn't. The slang is ridiculously irrelevant. The more I write this review, the less I like the book. I knocked half a star off at this point.

[Christine]

A child psychologist recommended this book, and I'm glad I finally picked up a copy. The extensive lists of hidden rules are so helpful, with many that I would never have thought of on my own. For example, in the Recess section: "When playing tag, touch the other person softly as if you were petting a dog." Yes! Most of the other listed rules are equally specific and concrete. An incredible resource.

[Fishface]

This book was the perfect corker to a frustrating day. It does not in any way address what the title says it addresses. It only covers elementary-level stuff like not talking about your nasal mucus in public. These are not "unstated social rules" -- they are rules every kid has to be taught. I agree that a kid with an autism-spectrum disorder might require more repetitions of this stuff than other kids, but that's not what the book is supposed to be about. Bleagh.

[Cjpeffer]

Bought my own copy. Filled with strategies to help try to field the tangled world of unspoken social norms and rules that come to typical people at bit easier. Watch your child tomorrow and smile at every time you see them pick up on a social rule of any kind, adjust to it and find a way to flourish. It is a wonderful thing to watch....and a killer to see someone struggle with.

[Scott]

Very helpful autism book

[Britt]

The title is a bit misleading, as this book is written entirely for teachers and psychologists working with autistic children. It also provides no framework for actually understanding why hidden social rules exist or work the way that they do, and is little more than a list of things not to do in various settings.