Socially Curious and Curiously Social: A Social Thinking Guidebook for Bright Teens and Young Adults

by Gracia Winner, Pamela Crooke

This anime-illustrated guidebook is written for teens and young adults to learn how the social mind is expected to work in order to effectively relate to others at school, at work, in the community and even at home. Since there is relatively little information on how to talk about social information, this book redefines what it means to be social and it is likely not what you think!

The book is written in the language of teens as a get real discussion about what really goes on inside the minds of people as we share space together. There are many practical strategies to help the reader figure out what impression they are making on others, how this affects their own emotions and what they could work on to make living in the increasingly complex social world more personally rewarding. Who doesn't think they could improve in these skills?

From discussing the ins and outs of what it means to be a social thinker to figuring out texting, dating, the different levels of friendship and the many and varied emotions we experience as we relate to others, the authors describe the real world of being with other people. This includes knowing how to sometimes just fake it better! The authors are not trying to get every reader to find a group to hang out with; instead, they are providing information to help each person find his or her place and be appreciated by others at whatever level he or she feels comfortable with.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Parenting, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

212 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kenzie Ruhnke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give you too help you communicate to people in the real world.

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Guides" like these are nothing short of psychological abuse to autistic children. I received similar advice growing up and it never helped me. All it did was make me feel that who I am will never be good enough for neurotypicals, and that I am always at fault if others bully me. I am ashamed for anyone who still subscribes to this school of thought.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most helpful book I've every read for understanding my Asperger's tween daughter.

[LucidStyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and well explained, I think this book would be especially useful for teaching social skills. I would definitely use it in a coaching or mentoring way, rather than just handing it to a kid to read on their own.