Books by Dr. Bowers

Tips and strategies for parents of kids who are “different” than all the rest.

A quirky child experiences difficulty fitting in and connecting with others usually due to an interpersonal style or behavior that stands out from the other kids. Maybe they are obsessed with a topic of interest or spend excessive hours a day reading, playing video games, or playing with just one toy. These kids are not so far afield as to fall on the autism spectrum, but they are unique, and their behaviors are not addressed in typical parenting books.

This book defines quirky markers and offers strategies for parents to understand their children’s brains and behaviors; to know what is developmentally appropriate, and what isn’t; to understand how to reach their kids; and to help facilitate their social functioning in the world.

It will calm the hearts and minds of parents who worry that their child doesn’t fit in and offer hope to parents who need strategies to support their quirky child’s overall development.

“There is no black and white dividing line between geeks, nerds, and the quirky, and mild autism or Asperger's. A few autistic traits can provide advantages—too many, a handicap. Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and many famous musicians, if they were born today, might well receive an “autism” label in today's school system. Some kids are just quirky, and Eight Keys to Raising a Quirky Child will help those children succeed.”

Temple Grandin, author of The Autistic Brain and Thinking in Pictures


“[D]eeply insightful and refreshingly practical. . . . Frustrated parents who believe their child is well-described by the ‘quirky’ profile will find Bowers’ 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.”

Publishers Weekly (awarded Red Star Review, Highest Rating for Outstanding Contribution)“


[B]ecause of the Parenting Press focus on problem-solving books, and because of the staff’s personal experience with quirky kids, we find this one of the most valuable books we’ve read in the last few years. . . . [E]xtremely informative material. . . . Highly recommended!”

— Parenting Press Newsletter

Reached #1 on Amazon's Hot New Releases List



This book both complements the Sōsh mobile application but is also a standalone guide to social skills development even if you are not using the mobile application.  The book outlines the Sōsh approach, detailing the "5R's", and provides strategies for adults who wish to help a child with social skills. This book will guide you and your child toward accomplishing your social goals using the following strategies:

Relate (Connect with Others):

Getting out of the house and into social settings
Facilitating play dates
Locating the ideal play partner
Starting and maintaining conversations
Basic talking strategies (eye contact, speech volume, etc.)
Understanding figures of speech and idioms
Learning about topics that interest others to strengthen relationships

Relax (Reduce Stress):

Managing stress with specific relaxation strategies
Overcoming school avoidance or difficulty getting out of the house
Managing sensory issues
Recognizing when medications may be indicated
Addressing general shyness in social situations

Reason (Think it Through):

Using video recordings to improve critical thinking
Making successful transitions
Perspective-taking to increase mental flexibility
Solving problems effectively
Specific strategies to improve school performance and completion of home routines
Individualized Education Program (IEP) suggestions

Regulate (Manage Behaviors):


Increasing good behaviors and reducing bad behaviors
Learning effective uses of time out
Establishing a set of household rules that children respond to
Monitoring recurring behaviors (e.g., interrupting, talking loudly, boundaries)

Recognize (Understand Feelings):

Setting goals to improve social skills development
Linking behaviors to consequences
Learning how to recognize the feelings of others
Understanding facial expressions