8 Keys to Raising the Quirky Child: How to Help a Kid Who Doesn't (Quite) Fit In (8 Keys to Mental Health) Paperback – July 27, 2015

This book has been exactly what I was looking for - a comparison of neurotypical development with that of 'quirky'. My daughter has been diagnosed with ASD but this book has been more helpful than the dozens of others I have read. It is definitely an introduction to a way of approaching differences (aka "quirks") and raising your child with understanding and guidance so they can experience all the joys and challenges of life with many tools in their tool belts. (And we, as parents, can also feel more supported and confident in our parenting). I wish I had found this book sooner!

This is a well written and informative book about dealing with children who do not fit the "norm". I think most children arequirky" in some way so the book would be useful for all parents

What a great perspective of raising kids. Author knows his subject manner well!

Book very informative and an eye opener .

The author blames the victims of bullying who “contribute to its attraction” and sympathizes with bullies, who are merely trying to “give feedback” to children they find annoying. That’s an absolute NO. There can be no toleration for bullying. He has a major problem in that he is unable to understand the thoughts, feelings, experiences, or a point of view of the “quirky“ children he purports to be helping. This shows a serious “theory of mind” deficit on the author’s part. Everything in this book is from the point of view of stressed out parents, and most of the advice he offers them is behavioral modification techniques that are unlikely to work with this group of children. He doesn’t understand the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown. He still considers Asperger’s a valid diagnosis. much of what is in this book is pernicious. I cannot recommend it for anyone.

A wonderful book for parents of gifted children who don't fit the mold of typical children, but are also not extreme enough to be 'pathologized' with a diagnosis. While reading it, I kept thinking, "Someone gets it!!! My kid is not alone - there are other kids out there like him!!" Even just for the comfort factor as parent - to know that you are not experiencing this alone - is worth the read. An additional benefit is the practical suggestions the author provides. The book is thorough, informative, provides examples to illustrate behaviors, and also references relevant research and theories. A highlight is Dr. Bowers' explanation of a continuum in considering a "quirky" child - not quite normative, not quite pathological (ADHD, ASD, OCD, etc.), but somewhere in the middle (and potentially misunderstood or inaccurately "diagnosed"). A great book to read, and also to refer back to during your parenting journey. In addition to parents, this book would also be highly beneficial to clinicians/therapists (OT's, SLP's, PT's, etc), classroom teachers (especially teachers in gifted classrooms and special education teachers), pediatricians, and extended family members and close friends of a "quirky" child.

We have struggled to find a word to describe our son and when I stumbled on this book, I hoped and prayed that the content on the inside would match my expectations generated from the cover. It did...and more! This book walks step-wise through the different types of behavior that you might see in your kids, behaviors that over time have risen to a point of confusion, shame, sadness, or hopelessness. The book gives solid strategies both at home and in the school to tackle in a practical and thoughtful (and most important, caring) way these behaviors and help increase your child's chances for success and growth.

Don't line his pockets. It's all about the money. I have seen him with my daughter. He is unable to distinguish emotional abuse from autism. He clearly lives in a glass bubble disconnected from reality by his PhD.