Asperger’s Rules!: How to Make Sense of School and Friends

by Blythe Grossberg

A large part of school isn’t just taking tests, reading, and writing—it’s knowing the rules for behavior in the classroom and learning how to communicate with teachers and classmates. This book makes school easier for kids with Asperger’s by explaining the confusing—and often unwritten—rules of the classroom.

Asperger’s Rules is filled with examples, quizzes, and exercises to help

Asperger’s Rules helps you learn the rules, so you will be better able to show your true talents at school. Blythe Grossberg, PsyD, is a learning specialist in New York City who works to help children and adults to become more effective at school and at work.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Psychology, Parenting, Self Help, Aspergers, Nonfiction, How To

128 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2012

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, this is awful and out touch. It was hard for me to tell who the intended audience was, but then it became clear that it was for middle schoolers. Several mentions of looking in the eye/eye contacts about six times.

Poor examples, text dense, large gaps in advice, bad examples, clunky writing, and layout that could be vastly improved.

Author mentions weird things like mercury thermometers, gory movies, and recommends 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' by Mark Haddon - which is a book that I enjoyed, but I believe is a little tone deaf as I think in that book the main character's parents are divorcing due to his diagnosis, also I read this in high school and I don't think this is appropriate for the average 12 year old.

This book also didn't make a lot of sense to me because if one has a diagnosis I assume that they'd have an IEP or a parent that would talk to teachers. Although, I did appreciate the idea of giving kids autonomy and tools.

No mention of puberty.

I also feel that it should be noted that although Blythe Grossberg had Psy D. after her name her degree is in organizational psychology. She also seems to have mostly worked in private schools which might also explain some of the disconnect.

It was so weird to me that she kept talking about bring video games to school or sharing food, both things that are not allowed at the middle schools that I have worked.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a little book meant to help middle graders with Asperger syndrome learn the unwritten social rules that permeate our culture, in particular those that will help them get through school and make friends. I got this from the library for my child who has high-functioning autism. I thought that was close enough to Asperger’s that she would be able to get something out of it. She read part of it but has no desire to finish.

From my non-Aspie perspective, it’s not comprehensive enough to take one very far. That may be where my daughter’s disconnect is. She already knows this stuff. I thought the formatting was confusing at times. It was almost too detailed in some areas and too vague in others. Overall, I would say this is a good starting point but not quite enough on its own merit.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book on recommendation from my son's doctor. My son is 13 and has Aspergers Syndrome. The book is very well done, tastefully dealing with social difficulties, without being cheesy or pandering to teenage humor. My son is reading it now, and he's really enjoying it. I wouldn't have picked it up on my own, because he is homeschooled and from the title it sounds like the book is all about school. Actually, it was really relevant to him, and he could use the tips for classroom dynamics in any group setting.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some good advice in here, but also a lot that's too simplistic. The quizzes aren't useful, as it's clear what the "right" and "wrong" answers are. Some of the suggestions are repetitive and seem insulting. Telling kids to look people in the eyes over and over in the book isn't especially helpful.

The sections on telling people "no" and bullying had good info. Overall, I think this could be a starting point for an Aspie middle schooler, but I'll continue to look for a more in-depth book.

[Trindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tips for helping kids with ASDs adjust to middle school

[Rachel Fellows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good practical social rules/manners guide for kids on the mild end of the spectrum. If a child is also using this in conjunction with the Social Thinking curriculum, it really works well together.

[Riegs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was interesting how this guide was written for the audience of young people with an autistic-spectrum disorder. It's sort of a "how-to guide" on how to act, or react. There are chapters on individual situations, like conversation starters. As a teacher, I might even adapt some of this content for socioemotional learning activities for primary, or counseling.

[ThePinkCarrot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has interesting ideas for helping a child with Aspergers navigate life. Has concrete examples for how to set goals and how to do things. (Leave an arm's length between you and another person for the appropriate amount of personal space. Set a goal for handing in homework on time rather than wanting to do better on homework.) Would recommend this book to others.

[Ashlea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rating I chose is merely personal; I'm sure this would be a life-saver for kids just approaching middle school, and kids with severe social/friendship issues.