Different . . . Not Less: Inspiring Stories of Achievement and Successful Employment from Adults with Autism, Asperger's, and ADHD [Paperback]

Temple Grandin (Author), Tony Attwood (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 16, 2012

This book is a compilation of success stories from adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.  Each shares what helped them during their childhood and young lives that made them the independant adults they are today. 

 

One of the most important missions Temple Grandin has is making sure people with autism and Asperger's make something of their lives.  As Temple says quite bluntly, "Being on Social Security is NOT a job choice."

These unique individuals often have great potential in parts of their minds that neurotypicals never even start to tap.  This needs to be shared with the world. 

However, in order to share their hidden genius, they have to overcome many social obstacles.  The point of this groundbreaking work is - it is possible, and it is WORTH it.  Let these crusaders, handpicked by Temple herself, show how it can be done.

Let this work by Dr. Temple Grandin inspire you to your true potential.  You will soon see why it means so much to her.
 

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is an inspiring book. The stories of achievement will be encouraging for parents of a young child with an autism spectrum disorder and will be especially inspirational for adolescents and young adults who are feeling despondent that autism could deprive them of a successful career or relationship. This book has antidepressant qualities to rival those of medication.

Dr. Tony Attwood

From the Author

Recently, I had a lady walk up to me in the airport and say, “Your book, Thinking in Pictures, saved my marriage. Now I understand my engineer husband, and we are able to work things out.”

Each contributor in this book has a unique story, and my intent is that their stories will provide hope and insight to individuals on the spectrum, as well as parents, teachers, and professionals.

People on the autism spectrum always keep learning. It is never too late to learn new skills, improve relationships, or learn better work skills. To grow, a person on the spectrum has to “stretch.” Stretching is a good analogy, because sudden surprises cause fear. Even individuals my age can learn new skills. When I was writing this introduction, I talked to a family member of a woman in her 60s who has autism. Within the past year, she discovered that the way she dressed herself improved her life, and now she enjoys nicer clothes. The mind of the person with autism can always keep learning. It is never too late to change. A person on the spectrum needs an employer, spouse, or friend who will calmly coach him when he makes social mistakes. He has to be instructed on how to behave, like a character in a play. In my own life, I have gained great insight from reading the writings of other individuals on the spectrum.

- Dr Temple Grandin

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Future Horizons (April 16, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935274600
• ISBN-13: 978-1935274605
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Children's Health > Autism & Asperger's Syndrome
  • #39 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Special Needs > Disabilities

More About the Author

Temple Grandin is one of the world's most accomplished and well known adults with autism. She has a PhD in animal science from the University of Illinois and is a professor at Colorado State University. She is the author of six books, including the national bestsellers Thinking in Pictures and Animals in Translation. Dr. Grandin is a past member of the board of directors of the Autism Society of America. She lectures to parents and teachers throughout the U.S. on her experiences with autism, and her work has been covered in the New York Times, People, National Public Radio, and 20/20. Most recently she was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of the year. The HBO movie based on her life, starring Claire Danes, received seven Emmy Awards.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#34 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting

#45 in Kindle eBooks > Health, Fitness & Dieting

#34 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting

#45 in Kindle eBooks > Health, Fitness & Dieting

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Inspiring Read from the Queen of Autism Advocacy April 2, 2012

By Barbara Smith

Format:Paperback

In her new book -Different....Not Less, Temple Grandin reinforces the popular notion -that if you meet a person with autism....you have met ONE person with autism. Indeed, each of the 14 contributors in this collection creates a collage of the childhood and adult experiences that have made them the individuals they are today.

Grandin carefully chose a cross section of men and women with Aspergers syndrome from different fields (i.e. medical, art, technology and sales), various western cultures (i.e Australia and Scotland) and life situations (i.e. rural/urban, religious/non-religious upbringings) that show the similar social, communication and sensory challenges that people with Aspergers face despite varied backgrounds. These stories also demonstrate the unique talents and coping strategies that have enabled these individuals to achieve varying levels of life satisfaction and success.

I believe that within the context of these stories- "life satisfaction" and "success" may be considered almost synonymous. A common thread is that after a lifetime of being "different" and with varying degrees of family support- finding acceptance and meaningful activities (whether vocational or recreational) is critical to happiness and indeed, success. Unlike mainstream western values-success need not be equated with wealth, owning things, fame or having lots of friends.

Most of the authors did not learn about their Aspergers diagnosis until later in life. For some it was a relief to find an explanation for why they felt different and for others it made them angry to receive a label. Most of them consider their lives a work in progress as they take the diagnosis and use it to forge societal and self-acceptance.

Each contributor's story was riveting- partly because I am an occupational therapist and I deeply understand Grandin's message that people with autism shine when they develop their talents. Perhaps I loved this book because I believe that my mother (daughter of immigrants and obsessively religious) had undiagnosed Asperger's and my Generation Y son (who is a brilliantly creative college student and entrepreneur with Aspergers) benefited from our modern day IEP and disability supports. There is much food for thought here....I believe that readers with autism and family members/friends of individuals on the spectrum will appreciate the following themes that run through many of the stories:

* Mentors are extremely important-if not one's parents, then others (perhaps teachers, clergy, employers) who recognize and support the person's abilities and goals
* High expectations of children to work and develop manners will contribute to future acceptance, persistence and feelings of self- worth
* People with autism think outside the box and therefore may do best working in settings where their creativity is a positive-such as running a business or artistic fields.
* Hard work pays off...

Readers whose lives are not personally touched by autism may also appreciate the inherent logic in raising children with these guiding principles and enjoy the many other insights offered by the contributors. I strongly encourage them to visit the intense visual arena that brought us the likes of Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs.

Many of the contributors describe how they were brought up to be kind, yet were victim to bullying. Some found solace in animal relationships. Others became deeply involved in helping others (a psychologist, nurse anesthetist, psychiatric rehabilitation worker). I think that Grandin may have chosen people with these backgrounds to dispel the techie nerd stereotype associated with autism. Some of the contributors are accomplished authors and public speakers despite communication challenges and others have overcome a history of jail time and alcohol abuse. They represent a wide swath of humanity.

Grandin concludes the book with her own chapter about how to find work opportunities. She reiterates that people with autism need alternatives to interviews (a weakness for people with communication challenges), mentors, early experiences that develop the work ethic and by all means- should take advantage of social media to show off one's portfolio.

Reading these stories and Grandin's brief synopsis of what each of the authors overcame- serves to emphasize that -people on the autism spectrum (as well as borderline neurotypicals such as myself) are different, not less. If we viewed every person on the planet with this simple frame of reference-wouldn't it be a better world for us all?

Barbara A. Smith, M.S., OTR/L, author of The Recycling Occupational Therapist

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wish it dealt more with ADHD. May 1, 2012

By James Andrews

Format:Paperback

This book definitely provides an inspiring and uplifting guide to charting a successful life for people with Asperger's and autism. The real life stories provide meaningful examples, and the final section on finding employment is especially good. It's a bit lacking in providing support for people with ADHD. I wouldn't even bring this up at all, but ADHD is mentioned in the title! Otherwise, the real-life stories are incredibly touching. It's great that a variety of careers are discussed... artist, tour guide, "techie." There's a real variety so readers don't have to feel "pigeonholed" into a future.

Great for readers concerned with Autism Spectrum Disorder. But if you are looking for help with life issues centered around ADHD in particular, I recommend you look elsewhere. One book I recommend is The ADHD Marriage Workbook A User-Friendly Guide to Improving Your Relationship. It's focused on relationships, not career, but I still recommend it highly.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow. Finally-A practical hopeful book March 12, 2013

By Irene A. Bouchard

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Gives strength and hope and a definite realism to the families who have have people with autism. I could picture a future for my son, finally. And a realistic one. The advantages of certain jobs are explained well. These can be connected with the strenghts of our loved ones who have autism.