The Unwritten Rules of Friendship: Simple Strategies to Help Your Child Make Friends

"I cannot recommend this book enough. It is very well written and easy to read. The authors clearly describe unsociable behaviours and why they can push away potential friends. There are over 100 role-play and discussion exercises. My 7 year-old-son and I have been working through most of these over the last three months. Until I read this book, I did not realise how much our family had adapted to his quirks, outbursts and poor conversational skills. The change in his behaviour has been dramatic. His teachers, grandparents and classmates have all noticed the difference. His performance at school and, most importantly, his self confidence has improved."
~ Written on 2008-04-18

"I bought this book in order to know how best to help my 6 year old son who seems to be increasingly asking for advice on friendships (or rather lack of them!) at school. I often find myself stuck for words and unsure of how to help him best. This book was a brilliant help - it is clearly written, easy to read and offers loads of practical advice and solutions for particular problems. It suggests little 'games' you can play with your child in order to help them learn the principles of friendship and various other methods to help them overcome personal difficulties that may be standing in the way of their potential friendships. It is divided into chapters dealing with various different 'types' of child - I found that I could recognise my son in several of these types so would recommend reading them all and taking the relevant bits from each.
I would totally recommend this book to all parents, whether or not your child is having difficulties. It is an incredibly useful book - putting into words things that are sometimes difficult to explain to children."
~ Written on 2006-01-09

"This book will help many a shy adult as well as people of all ages with Asperger's Syndrome. This book is an excellent navigational tool in decoding the Tacit Social Codes & Rules. Asperger's Syndrome, which is in the autism spectrum includes a lack of intuitive knowledge of these Social Codes & Rules and their accompanying skills. This book reaches people on the spectrum on the cognitive level and helps many to compensate cognitively for what is lacked intuitively.

I like the way it empowers parents and educators to realize that not everybody can just approach a peer and make an instant friend. Relying on tired cliches such as constant reassurance at best or criticism/blame at worst, the book acts as a "how to" in order to improve social skills. No promises are made and encouragement is given instead. Had this book existed when I was a child, much sorrow and shame might have been avoided. Compassion is the tone of the book and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

If I could give this book a higher rating, I would cheerfully do so."
~ Written on 2005-03-27