On their terms (Score 1)

1. Make it an intellectual challenge. Social skills, relating to people is a whole new world they CAN enjoy. In fact that world will be more rewarding or more painful than anything in the world of knowledge throughout the course of their lives. Often such folks are proud of their intellect -- appeal to it. 2. Give them a safe place to start. Perhaps for readers, _Emotional Intelligence_ and _How to Win Friends and Influence People_. As an intellectual exercise try predicting the outcome of 'TV reality show' type games like "Survivor" or "The Mole". Maybe make up your own social game experiment. I have found books on Assertiveness training helpful in dealing with contention. 3. Let them celebrate their differences. Each of us sees the world in a unique way, and that's okay.