In Quirky, Yes—Hopeless, No, Dr. Cynthia La Brie Norall and Beth Brust present short lessons, structured around specific topics from A-Z that address the social challenges faced by Asperger’s children and teens. Since everyday “people skills” do not come naturally to children with Asperger’s, they need training in such simple activities as:

• How to greet others and make eye contact
• How to let go and move on to new tasks
• How to cooperate and ask for help
• How to pay compliments
• How to discern someone’s true intentions
• How to handle teasing and bullying
• How not to be rude.

What Readers Have Said about QUIRKY, YES—HOPELESS, NO

“I read your book, it is now my bible on Asperger’s.”
— Kimberly S., Parent, Northern California

“I’m just floored by how great this new book is!
I have a shelf full of books on Asperger’s and NLD
that don’t provide, in sum, the insights and help and peace
that this book provides.
“Two of the book’s best attributes are its cheerfulness
throughout and the many practical tips regarding Aspie behavior
and point of view.”
— Donna A., Parent, Houston, TX

“I got some excellent tips that not only helped me,
but worked for my son’s teacher immediately.”
— Roxanne M., Parent, Montana

“The best book yet on the topic…We are grandparents
and so wished that we had had this book this summer
when the 10-year-old was having such problems during
her visit with us. Can’t recommend this highly enough.”
— Donald S., Grandfather, San Francisco, CA

“This book has a lot of great tips on dealing with the situations
that people with Asperger’s have. It is well outlined and
an excellent resource.”
— Paul T., Orlando, FL

“My husband and I discovered that our 13-year-old had
Asperger’s…the first thing I did was go on Amazon and order
5 books…QUIRKY, YES was the BEST of the bunch…and gave
us solutions immediately…For the first time in my son’s life,
I understood how he felt and why. This book made understanding
Asperger’s easy.”
— Michelle H., Parent, Southern California

“I want to tell you that I can’t stop recommending your book
to parents. I love it, from the title to the format to how easy
it is to access the information.”
— Dr. Claude V., Vision Therapy Specialist, CA

“Every page, especially in the 85 headings, is a mirror to me of
my son and myself…your book has so much useful and relevant,
hands-on info that it will stay with me always.
“It’s enjoyable, easy-to-read, and handy as a look-it-up reference
and user manual…I could have used this book 10 years ago.”
— Tim N., Parent/Adult with AS, Denmark

“I wish my mother had read your book, QUIRKY, YES. I picked up
your book yesterday. I cannot put it down. I have AS also. I manage
and race for the Autism Speaks Racing team. I race endurance races,
if there is anything I know it is endurance.”
— Thomas K., Adult with AS, Fallbrook, CA

“This book is so well organized by issue so it is very easy
to find helpful tips for just the issue that you are dealing
with right then. Also a good read cover to cover.”
— No Name, Livingston, TX

Based on Dr. Norall’s twenty years of experience treating thousands with Asperger’s, this book will share her insights gained from helping so many friendless Asperger’s children become more approachable, less stuck, and finally able to make, and keep, a friend or two.

Review by Temple Grandin, author of Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships and Thinking in Pictures
"This is a fantastic book for helping people on the autism spectrum learn social skills. Great for individuals on the spectrum, teachers, and social skills training specialists. Many short chapters cover specific social problems. Readers can quickly find 'how to' social solutions in the easy to use 'Table of Contents'."

Publishers Weekly review on 5/18/09 said about Quirky, Yes—Hopeless, No
"Each useful, carefully worded entry addresses kids' behaviors and their parents' concerns, gives examples from real situations and offers suggestions for change or, as is often the case, acceptance. Although a dozen or more experts are cited, the book is conversational in tone, full of insights and will help and encourage parents and their Aspie or high-functioning autistic kids alike."

Feature Article Titled "Special Books for Special Needs" by Katherine E. Livingston Publishers Weekly 6/1/09
"At St. Martin's Press, Quirky Yes, Hopeless No: Practical Tips to Help Your Child with Asperger's Syndrome Be More Socially Accepted by Cynthia La Brie Norall, with Beth Wagner Brust, explores the challenges of kids with Asperger's in an A to Z format. Associate editor Alyse Diamond says: 'Cynthia La Brie started a fantastic organization for Asperger kids called Friends' Club, which brings these kids together to practice social skills.” Quirky Yes, Hopeless No offers 'tons of tips, games and information'." Read More

Article Titled "Today's Quirky Kids -- Tomorrow's Heroes" by Cynthia Jenson-Elliott San Diego Family Magazine November 2009
Everyone grew up with a quirky kid. They were the kids who didn't quite fit in socially, but who were really smart in other ways. They had big ideas -- astronomically big sometimes--but didn't quite grasp the nitty-gritty of life on the playground. They were different somehow, though it was often hard to put a finger on what exactly made them different. Somtimes they were teased by bullies who didn't like differences, and sometimes, we remember, we were big enough and brave enough to stand up for them. Read More on-line in November edition, page 86

Interview by Paula Davis titled "How To Help Your Child With Asperger's Syndrome Be More Socially Accepted" CommitmentNow.com December 2009 Author Cynthia La Brie Norall, Ph.D., author of "Quirky, Yes--Hopeless No: Practical Tips To Help Your Child With Asperger's Syndrome Be More Socially Accepted" talks about the social challenges children with Asperger's face, and she offers suggestions on how to help an Aspie child learn to groom better, start and keep a conversation going, and stop annoying behaviors that set them up for rejection.

Interview with Alex Ota "Autism vs. Aspergers Syndrome: Signs Your Child Might Have Either and Why Jenny McCarthy Upsets the Autistic Community" on BreezyMama.com December 7, 2009

Article titled "Making quirky cool: Club for kids with Asperger's inspires new parenting book", Story Discussion By Patricia Morris Buckley, For the North County Times, March 17, 2010
Beth Wagner Brust knows there are few things more difficult than watching your child struggle to make friends. Her youngest son, Ben, was diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarten, but by third grade he still didn't have any friends. "My pediatrician said he had Asperger's," explained Brust, a Carmel Valley resident. Asperger's is considered a higher form of autism that makes social interaction, among other things, difficult. "Like any parent, I was thrown for a loop. Then I heard about the Friends Club in Carlsbad."...read more