Thinking In Pictures: and Other Reports from My Life with Autism
by Temple Grandin
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Read in February, 2004
This book is both an autobiography and a study of autism in general, discussing the different symptoms & effects, as well as possible treatments for this condition. Grandin discusses how her visual thinking caused social and emotional difficulties while growing up, but later became of immense benefit in her career. She compares her thought processes to a computer - taking in information visually and gradually building up a schema. Nouns come easily, while spatial and abstract words are much ...more
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Read in January, 2005
temple grandin designs cattle chutes. she wants cows to not be frightened as they are sent to their slaughter. and as an autistic person who interprets the world visually she discusses how this enables her to understand how animals interpret the world. aside from teaching me a lot about autism (who cannot be fascinated by a totally different mode of perception? and who couldn't stand some info on the obstacles autistic people face?), this book had such moving and beautifully poetics moments for ...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Natalie by:
a wise personrecommends it for: everyone
What an amazing portrayal of her life! I do have to say she is way more passionate about live stock than the rest of us. However, I wish I could invent and view blueprints in my head. How can Aspergers be labeled a disorder? It really amounts to a different way of behaving and living due to a different and in my view, far superior way of thinking. Grandin of course remains lucky that she had the support system of her well financed parents to give her the kind of education she needed. She still s...more
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recommends it for:
teachers, parents, loved ones of someone with autism
With two autisic family members, I was drawn to Temple Grandin's story in an attempt to better understand autism. Her account of her childhood, education, and social interactions combined with a unique understanding of animals (due to her autism) is fascinating. This book is a rare glimpse into the mind of an autistic who actually has the ability (somewhat rare among autistics) to communicate her experience. What is especially interesting is her perspective of the rest of us. Her unemotional...more
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This was a very interesting book to me because I realized my thought process is almost completely opposite of hers. Perhaps that is why I never can seem to understand how animals and babies can think without words, why I struggled with my mechanical engineering drawing class and have no artistic ability.
My one criticism is that the purpose of the book was muddled. Is this an autobiography, a description of how autistic people think or thoughts on how to treat people with austism? I think if sh...more
My one criticism is that the purpose of the book was muddled. Is this an autobiography, a description of how autistic people think or thoughts on how to treat people with austism? I think if sh...more
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Read in July, 2006
Temple Grandin does an excellent job of helping the reader to understand what life with Asperger's Syndrome is like. It was fascinating to read about how well she relates to animals but not people. The success of her career as an animal scientist is due largely in part to the fact that she has Asperger's syndrome, and I loved how she was able to create blueprints in her mind. She has contributed greatly to more humane treatment of animals in slaughterhouses, although they're still being slaug...more
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Read in November, 2006
recommends it for:
special educators, anyone with a family member or friend with Autism
Temple Grandin's autobiographical account,Thinking in Pictures, gives readers a glimpse into the extraordinary life as a person with high-functioning Autism. Grandin's passion for the field of Animal Science has revolutionized the meat-packing industry, making it more humane with the invention of her "squeeze machine". You have to read about it to believe how Grandin's unique characteristics as an adult with Autism has enabled her to accomplish what no one else could. Such an...more
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Read in February, 2008
Excellent, very personal book. Fascinating perspective on thought processes (both human and animal), from the mind of someone who does not think the way most people do. Grandin also gives a excellent overview of the many forms of autism and how attitudes and understanding have changed over time. You can't be in the animal field without hearing Grandin's name thrown around fairly regularly and I'm glad I finally read one of her books.
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Temple Grandin gives a fascinating account of what it's like to grow up coping with autism, from her early sense of isolation to her efforts to interpret the subtle social cues of others ( a difficult hurdle). Her inherent intelligence is clear, as is her cut and dry manner. She touches briefly on her relationship with animals and how she developed the squeeze machine after seeing a similar mechanism used on cattle.
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Read in February, 2008
Fascinating look from inside autism. Temple Grandin thinks totally in pictures, and has to translate them into words. She aims a lot of her book at those who are dealing with autism in some way, and it at times reads like a textbook. But her thoughts on religion, how she thinks related to animal thoughts, and famous people in history who had many autistic tendencies were very thought-provoking.
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Read in March, 2007
If you come into regular contact with someone who has autism, or if you're just curious like me, this is an incredible book to read. The author succinctly describes the sensory "jumbling" that is characteristic of autism and by so doing allows those of us who are not autistic to understand them. I particularly recommend for anyone the last chapter on her perception of God.
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Read in February, 1997
A very elucidating view into autism, from the grande dame of autistics, as it were. I completely respect her and hope that I can one day hear her speak. I'm in awe of all she accomplished. She shattered the bullet-proof plexiglass ceiling of autism, opened herself to the world and her world to us. I'm simply astounded. I wish I was one iota that smart. Pure genius.
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Read in November, 2006
recommends it for:
everyone.
A fascinating, enlightening, and beautiful book from Dr. Grandin.
As more people are being diagnosed with autism, it's important for everyone - not just those who are related to an autistic person - to learn more about how autistic minds work so that we might be more accepting and accomodating to their needs and desires.
As more people are being diagnosed with autism, it's important for everyone - not just those who are related to an autistic person - to learn more about how autistic minds work so that we might be more accepting and accomodating to their needs and desires.
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Read in June, 2007
A really interesting book. Grandin is an autistic woman and paints a clear picture with many fascinating examples of how her life and thought processes differ from others. There is also an interesting discussion at the end of the book relating animals to humans and our similar thought patterns. An easy, very informative read.
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recommends it for:
People interested in autism
Much better than her first book Emergence, and an interesting autobiography. Temple Grandin is an interesting story in that while pursuing her PhD in psychology at U of I in Champaign she discovered a love for animals which eventually led her to a career as the most accomplished slaughter-house designer in the country.
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Read in January, 2002
No matter how we are wired biologically the human spirit can overcome vast challenges and contribute in a way that is meaningful to them. I was fascinated by her homemade squeeze machine. At the time I read it my body was malfunctioning and I was battling constant overstimulation, anxiety and fight-or-flight triggers.
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Read in May, 2007
If there's such thing as a unpretentious insider's view of a neurological disorder, this is it. Perhaps most interesting for its compelling perspectives on some psychological barriers in all sorts of relationships, including relationships between humans and relationships between cattle and humans.
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This book is so intriguing! It was written by a woman who has autism and about her struggles in finding her self and her way. She is such a fascinating character. Even if you are not particularly interested in autism, like I am, it is still a really interesting look into human nature and science.
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Read in August, 2007
This was a wonderful book. I was able to understand Autism much better by reading from a first person point of view. She explains everything in simple layman's terms and she she sorts by topic. She is an amazing woman and a testimony to be with disabilities everywhere.
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She has such an amazing, unique perspective on the world. That she uses to help widen our own views (through the book) and help the lives of farm animals (in her life in another vein). I'm curious to read her other books as well, including one about animals.
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