8 Keys to Raising the Quirky Child

Starred review from July 6, 2015
Pediatric psychologist Bowers’s guide to understanding the “quirky child”—one with a high IQ and without a pathological diagnosis, but with significant socially off-putting behaviors and difficulties with self-regulation, interpersonal interactions, and executive functioning—is deeply insightful and refreshingly practical. The book, an entry in Norton’s 8 Keys to Mental Health series, combines an appreciation of the differences of kids outside the norm with the message that they must be guided into learning essential social skills. Bowers places quirky behavior on a continuum between normative and pathological, and discusses models of development that can help parents figure out when behavior is, and is not, age-appropriate. While focusing on interventions for children from ages three to 10, Bowers does touch on issues that might surface for parents in later years, such as modulating “depth-seeking” (oriented toward highly specific interests) and isolating behavior and helping students approach homework as a process and not just the mastery of academic skills. Frustrated parents who believe their child is well-described by the “quirky” profile will find Bowen’s attitude supportive, his psychological explanations of their child’s motivations satisfying, and his specific strategies for helping these kids accept breadth of experience and build social competency usable and encouraging.