Socially Curious and Curiously Social [Paperback]

Michelle Garcia Winner (Author), Pamela Crooke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2009

Written for teens and young adults to read themselves about 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 were thinking! This book is a "get real" discussion about what really goes on inside the mind of people as we share space together. There are many practical strategies to help the reader figure out what type of impression they are making on others and what things they could work on to be more successful. 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" and use "related social skills," to figuring out texting, dating, the many 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 figuring out 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 their place and be appreciated by others at whatever level they feel comfortable with. Parents, teachers and counselors may also find this book an interesting read as it provides some "ah ha!" moments that encourage a deeper discussion with their older kids about the social world. While we all work on improving our communication skills, few of us know how to talk about the social mind and how to cope in our very social world of the classroom, hanging out, holding a job, chatting on the internet, etc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 195 pages
• Publisher: Think Social (2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097929228X
• ISBN-13: 978-0979292286
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Seriously Helpful Guide for Young Adults with Social Challenges, December 6, 2009

By 

Barbara Smith "Barbara Smith, M.S., OTR/L" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Socially Curious and Curiously Social (Paperback)

Regardless of the reader's age, this gem of a book written primarily for teens and young adults with social challenges- will unlock the mysteries of social thinking and making friends. Each successive chapter builds on a pyramid of skills beginning with social thinking- understanding how body language and words impact how people feel, social skills- using social thinking to act in ways that make others comfortable, learning the social rules that change as we age, recognizing levels of friendships, making sense of social media such as Facebook and navigating the social world of dating.

The authors are speech therapists with vast experience helping teens and young adults decipher what is expected in their social worlds- a skill many young children pick up effortlessly but others must consciously learn. Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke are optimistic that young adults can turn their lonely lives around to form connections that may not only prevent depression and anxiety but enable successful careers and marriage. Social thinking is a survival skill.

Socially Curious and Curiously Social is written in a fun, easy to read way, for an intelligent and motivated audience. The authors focus on the reasons behind problematic behaviors rather than on the negative traits associated with specific disabilities. Important and complex concepts such as what is "networking", how to tell the difference between sarcasm and a true insult or why it is important to sometimes be a `social fake" are clearly explained and supported with numerous anecdotes and even cartoons.

Reading this book is like spending time with a social mentor one can return to as needed. As an occupational therapist and a mother of a college student with Asperger's syndrome I wish every high school administrator recognized the need for real life mentors who run groups similar to the ones the authors describe because social thinking is a life skill more important than learning algebra or writing a book report. Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke are supportive, at times funny, but consistently firm that the reader needs to take control of his/her own behavior/life, get out of the cave ("i.e. bedroom with computer) and start joining the social world.

Barbara Smith, M.S., OTR/L author of The Recycling Occupational Therapist and Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful book, March 21, 2010

By 

evensong - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Socially Curious and Curiously Social (Paperback)

I bought this book for my 16 year old daughter who has Asperger's Syndrome. She read it from cover to cover and claims that it gave her insight into paying attention to and responding to social cues, which is something she struggles with on a daily basis. Since rading it she does seem to being trying to put what she learned into practice and she said that she plans keep it and review it when necessary-- particularly before a social event.

I would definitely recommend this book for the tweens and teens with social disorders, and their parents as well.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cali Mom, June 1, 2010

By 

Cali Mom "Ann" (Los Altos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Socially Curious and Curiously Social (Paperback)

I bought this book to read with my 14 year old daughter this summer before she entered high school. I'm glad I didn't just hand it to her. The book is not easy to read. Its chatty but, finding the important stuff is burried in lots of text. The book also contains information on sexual relationships for people with NVLD. So I'd say that the scope of the authors is very wide. We are looking for help on how to join kids to talk with between classes or eat lunch with, not "hooking up with"...yet. I would have appreciated the content related to sexuality be printed and sold separately as an appendix. That said, Ms. Garcia-Winner has an excellent reputation in this field and I hope I can get my daughter into one of her social skills groups in the near future.