Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism

Temple Grandin grew up with Asperger's Syndrome before it was understood by anyone but a handful of researchers. She has turned her insights and special interest in animal science into a successful career designing livestock handling systems. She claims that the image-based thinking of the autism spectrum is similar to the language-free thought processes of animals. This insight leads to interesting conclusions about communication. The book weaves together accounts of Grandin's life and the development of knowledge about autism. Its eleven chapters are organized by autism topics and cover visual thinking, diagnosis, sensory problems, emotion, developing talents, treatments, relationships, connecting with animals, animal thinking, autism and genius, and religion. Temple Grandin provides a clear, readable account of scientific findings supplemented by experiences from her life. This expanded version includes updated information about autism spectrum causes, diagnosis, and treatment that have become available since the book was originally published in 1996. The author is candid about her life's hard-won lessons. She also shares the things which bring her the greatest satisfaction and what these insights may mean for others. A sample: - Her innovative design of a "squeeze machine" to restrain cattle is based on how calming she found gentle pressure as a child. - Temple visualized large transitions in her life as stepping through a doorway--and often found an actual doorway to step through and reduce the stress of change. - One way to get a feel for visual, associational thinking is to play with the Google search engine for images. - Autistic fixations are not always a problem; some people are able to channel them into successful careers. - Early in her career, Temple often made business contacts on the phone so she didn't have to interpret and respond to complex social signals. She believes that phone and internet contact can be useful in more gradual development of social skills. Grandin's blend of research reporting and personal reflection works well. Her book covers the basics of autism, grounded in the author's life. It is both a contrast and a complement to another excellent book, Tony Attwood's The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome , which offers a drier and more exhaustive presentation of the same subject. Both are highly recommended for anyone on the autism spectrum or who wants both breadth and depth in their understanding of it.

I saw the author on TED Talk in one of my classes for the University and I work with children that have autsim and it so happen since I started that classes, I found out also that my granson was misdiagnoes and he has autism. I was so pleased by her wisdom and input concerning education in the school concerning this. And what she has accomplished. I gave it to me I brought one and gave it to my Superintendent of the county. I bought one for my great-grandson. I spread it to the young lady who works at a store, I just shared it with a director who works with children who have Autism. I let everyone that I need to share it with too! And they are so happy to hear about her book. If I had the money! I would buy a lot and give it away! But I just when you a medical issue that I have to spend money for that. But I am doing my part by telling those I come in contact with about the author's book. Because there are parents, some teachers, and children who feel they have nothing to offer! I never believed that she is living proof! As far as some teachers yes they loved the children, but during the years, I sometimes saw, that some felt that is far as they going go! And I never believed that!

This is a very interesting book, an eye opener for me. As I was reading it, I reflected back on my own life, and realized that I am very much like Temple. I am an older woman as well. In my time, instead of being labeled as autistic, I was labeled gifted. In first grade though I did not know how to talk and relate with others and my parents were asked to move me to a school for mute children. At home I talked though and my mother tried to help me learn to relate to others. It took a while, as I related far more to plants and animals than people and still do. Also, I am always the first to notice things which can be good if it's danger. On a test in high school that measured ability to visualize for spacial relations, I scored 99.99% for all women and above 98% of all men. Verbal processing was always a chore, however, and social cues were and continue to be learned by hard experience and in some cases remain a mystery in many cases. A class that teaches social norms would be good for kids now since they are not obvious to us picture thinkers. Thank goodness Temple's mother and my own mother found ways to help us flourish. We all have special gifts and weaknesses. The key is to realize your strengths and find work in that direction, plus find ways to help your weaknesses. I would also recommend another of her books, "The Austistic Brain". At the end, it discussed strengths and what types of jobs might be good for each. This is similar to my high school career test. I would definitely recommend this book. Temple's observations helped cattle be processed more humanely. I admit I was a bit squeamish about that part but hearing that she cared about them and found ways to make their time in processing better softened this topic.

This book gives the reader an almost clinical view of one autistic person's subjective experiences combined with a fascinating account of her professional career. It describes the terrors and compulsions that drove her behaviors as a child, her tantrums and her stimming. With her luminous intelligence she was able observe and analyze her subjective experience and device ways and means (e.g. the squeeze machine) to ameliorate the conditions she found hard to endure. The sections dealing with her studies and work with livestock handling, with detailed explanations of the different equipment and facilities she designed give the engaged reader an insight such as a well-written engineering report would provide. Thinking in pictures is an illuminating and important work that will be very helpful to parents and teachers of children on the autism spectrum. However, not many children are as high-functioning as Temple Grandin, a sad fact that will tend to cause discouraging negative comparisons by some parents. The tendency of the author, especially in the beginning of the book, to sound a little bragging or arrogant about her skills and achievements may have a tendency to turn some of them off in places, as it did this reader.

This book was recommended to me by a friend (Mom of an autistic child) when I asked her for a book that would explain clearly what autism really is, but without the "How-I-cured-my-son-from-autism drama" so often found in books on that subject... My son is autistic and that book really made it all easier to accept and understand. Sure, not every autistic person is gonna be as successful and fullfiled as Temple grandin, (just as not every autistic child is an Einstein in the making !) but seing where Temple started (she was pretty severely handicaped by her autism) and where she is now (leading a life even "normal people" could envy) gives you hope that everything is possible if you work for it and believe in yourself (and in your child)! Temple Grandin writes things just as she feels them. No "novel-lingo", just plain facts, feelings and thoughts. Her approach of the cattle world and animal intelligence is amazing, and the source of info about autism (from the insider point of view) is priceless, especially because she goes right to the point. Having her input about relationships, religion and faith is really interesting, as is the whole chapter about Einstein... All together this book is easy to read and understand, entertaining and inspiring... So if someone asked me "what is the first book to read on the subject ?" I would recommend this one too... I think it is a must-have if someone around you is autistic or PDD, it can help family members too (like grandparents) understand your child better...

I have read the original version as well as the updated, expanded version (multiple times) and have not only found the insight into autism fascinating and educational, but I came to appreciate the strength of will Temple Grandin has displayed throughout her life. This applies not only in her journey as an individual on the autistic spectrum, but also as a woman doing work that at one time was considered to be suitable only for men. She truly broke through the glass ceiling, moved steadily ahead in her field, and made a national as well as international name for herself as an animal advocate and role model. I admire the "voice" of this amazing woman as she describes her way of thinking and reasoning, opening a world of experience that those of us without her condition can learn from, admire, and appreciate. She freely embraces her "differentness", but with a wistfulness that is touching when she likens herself to Data, the android of Star Trek fame, who so longed to experience "humanness". I also enjoy the writing of the neurologist Oliver Sacks, who writes the forward to this updated and expanded version of her book, and who spent much time with her over the years, even including her in his book An Anthropologist on Mars--the title, in fact, came from a statement she made. This book made me think.....and I love books that stretch my mind. I liked being reminded that because a person doesn't think in the same manner that I do, I can't feel that they are deficient or that my thinking is somehow "better". Temple's story emphasizes that each person is unique and that with effort, what some would consider weaknesses can be turned into strengths.

This is a comprehensive, truthful, description of living a life of struggle and complete acceptance of the brilliant mind of an autistic person. A wonderful read for anyone who has encountered this world of intelligence and self worth!

I am making a special point of writing this while I am still reading it because I am concerned that it will be too easily dismissed by potential readers. I almost did not buy Thnking In Pictures because of what I now see is an unfortunate choice of cover art. I now understand that the cover is to sell the HBO movie starring Claire Danes, more than it is to convey anything about the book's content. That aside, this is a serious work by a serious and gifted scientist and thinker, who happens to be autistic. For anyone who is interested in autism both objectively as well as from a first person perspective, this is more than an introduction, but a penetrating work. This is a book by someone who is different from most both for her cognitive challenges, but also for her intelligence. It is an account of the author's constant efforts at integrating the various aspects of her entire experience-- personal, social, and professional. What comes across here is a remarkable whole as Dr.Grandin describes her mental efforts to control her perceptions and responses, how she tries to understand and use them, and also how her perceptions and her efforts bring her into closer proximity to others, both animals and humans. This is more philosophy and cognitive psychology than it is a memoir. And, for that, a picture of a smiling actress, however talented, cannot convey the full importance. The Meaning of Life: A Child's Book of Existential Psychology

la autora narra en primera persona el mundo de un autista. Es muy interesante conocer su visión de lo que la rodea, sus limitaciones y potencialidades. Y por sobre todo, su gran valor humano. Un libro para recomendar.

Great read. Very informative. She tells the story from her perspective and years of exposure. Its very motivating for parents as it explains many different aspects of Autism. Love her books! Makes understanding children in general so much more.

Ein wundervolles Buch, das tiefe Einblicke in das Leben von Temple Grandin bietet und wie sie die Wahrnehmung von Autismus geprägt und verändert hat. Daneben außerdem ein ermutigendes Zeugnis, wie die Besonderheiten von Autist*innen auch Stärken sein können, wenn sie im richtigen Kontext zum Einsatz kommen.

I admire Temple Grandin's way of thinking - visual thinking, which draws my attention. Although she had a speech delay in her childhood, she can turn every word she heard into pictures, where I believe she can make the gist of the framework. Then she usually turns it into the whole picture. Dr. Grandin does it every day, which has made her an avid thinker and has reinforced her imagination skill. It seems so effective to me because I think she organizes many pictures in her brain to get her message across. Therefore, she understands animals quite well, because autistic people, esp. non-verbal ones and animals basically rely on visions instead of using words. She couldn't become what she is now if she were an NT person, I'd say. I wasn't quite sure if I talked about some scenes of Dr. Grandin's seminar on my review of The Way I See It, but I didn't expect she would make such articulate presentations. Many people with Asperger's/autism are likely to be so nervous in public; I must admit that's a stereotypical idea because she has made a lot of effort to socialize by meeting her mentor, her science teacher at high school. And that motivated her to study animal science and now she teaches that at Colorado State Univ. Also she has made a bunch of presentations on Asperger's/autism. After all this book made me think twice about developmental impairments - Even challenged people can have opportunities to succeed in life. They might be able to make the best use of their potentials NT people have never thought of!

I really enjoyed this book by Temple Grandin and was amazed at the amount of insight she has into her own condition. This has obviously been an ongoing learning curve for her. Her courage and perseverance in an often alien and disturbing world is truly inspirational. More than that, the book excited me, as it gave me insight into my own adult son's autistic behaviours, and how the world appears to him. It explained so much that I hadn't really understood before and enabled me to modify my own expectations or way of thinking about how he reacts to certain things. I had already seen a movie about Grandin's life. This book went into a lot more depth about autism and was well worth the read.