Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Understanding and Managing Social Challenges for Those With Asperger's/Autism

by Temple Grandin

Overview

Silver Award Winner in the 2005 ForeWord Book of the Year Awards! Born with autism, both authors now famously live successful social lives. But their paths were very different. Temple's logical mind controlled her social behavior. She interacted with many adults and other children, experiencing varied social situations. Logic informed her decision to obey social rules and avoid unpleasant consequences. Sean's emotions controlled his social behavior. Baffled by social rules, isolated and friendless, he made up his own, and applied them to others. When they inevitably broke his rules, he felt worthless and unloved. Both Temple and Sean ultimately came to terms with the social world and found their places in it. Whether you are a person with autism, a caregiver in the autism community, or just someone interested in an outsider view of society, their powerful stories will enthrall and enlighten you.

Helpful sections include:
Two Perspectives on Social Thinking
Two Minds: Two Paths

The Ten Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships, which include:
Rule #1: Rules are Not Absolute. They are Situation-based and People-based
Rule #2: Not Everything is Equally Important in the Grand Scheme of Things
Rule #3: Everyone in the World Makes Mistakes. It Doesn’t Have to Ruin Your Day.
Rule #4: Honesty is Different than Diplomacy
Rule #5: Being Polite is Appropriate in Any Situation
Rule #6: Not Everyone Who is Nice to Me is My Friend
Rule #7: People Act Differently in Public than They Do in Private
Rule #8: Know When You’re Turning People Off
Rule #9: Fitting in is Often Tied to Looking and Sounding Like You Fit In
Rule # 10: People are Responsible for Their Own Behaviors

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2901932565064
Publisher:	Future Horizons, Inc.
Publication date:	12/28/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	383
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 1.50(h) x 9.50(d)

About the Author

Temple Grandin earned her Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Illinois, went on to become an associate professor at Colorado State University, and wrote two books on autism, including the seminal Thinking in Pictures. One of the most celebrated — and effective — animal advocates on the planet, Grandin revolutionized animal movement systems and spearheaded reform of the quality of life for the world's agricultural animals.

Barron is a graduate of Youngstown State University.

Table of Contents

ACT ONE
Two perspectives on Social Thinking
Scene 1. My World is What I Do by Temple Grandin
Scene 2. A Different Perspective on social Awareness by Sean Barron

ACT TWO
Two Minds: Two Paths

How the Autistic Way of Thinking Affects Social Understanding

INTERMISSION

ACT THREE
The Ten Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships

Rule #1: Rules are Not Absolute. They are Situation-based and People-based

Rule #2: Not Everything is Equally Important in the Grand Scheme of Things

Rule #3: Everyone in the World Makes Mistakes.
It Doesn’t Have to Ruin Your Day.

Rule #4: Honesty is Different than Diplomacy

Rule #5: Being Polite is Appropriate in Any Situation

Rule #6: Not Everyone Who is Nice to Me is My Friend

Rule #7: People Act Differently in Public than They Do in Private

Rule #8: Know When You’re Turning People Off

Rule #9: “Fitting In” is Often Tied to Looking and Sounding Like You Fit In

Rule # 10: People are Responsible for Their Own Behaviors

Epilogues
 

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“If you’ve ever wondered, ‘What is going through my child’s mind? Why can’t he get social interactions?’ then this book is for you! ‘A-ha!’ moments abound.”
Veronica Zysk, editor of Autism/Asperger’s Digest and this book, both published by Future Horizons.

 

“I wish I had this book when Sean was a child. It would have helped me understand Sean so much more.”
Judy Barron, co-author of There’s A Boy In Here and mother of author Sean Barron.
 

“I would love to have the ten rules from page 119 as my screensaver!"
Lindsi Cavender, Person with Asperger’s Syndrome
 

Editorial Reviews

“If you’ve ever wondered, ‘What is going through my child’s mind? Why can’t he get social interactions?’ then this book is for you! ‘A-ha!’ moments abound.”
Veronica Zysk, editor of Autism/Asperger’s Digest and this book, both published by Future Horizons.

 

From the Publisher