A true story that is both uniquely moving and exceptionally inspiring, Emergence is the first-hand account of a courageous autistic woman who beat the odds and cured herself. As a child, Temple Grandin was forced to leave her "normal" school and enroll in a school for autistic children. This searingly honest account captures the isolation and fears suffered by autistics and their families and the quiet strength of one woman who insisted on a miracle.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
This book is written by a woman who overcame a severe disability to become a successful designer of livestock equipment. Though professionals have been theorizing about it for years, the phenomenon called autism has re mained shrouded in mystery. The au thor makes a few dents in this mys tique, giving us insights which are rare because autism by its nature generally precludes such expression and analysis of emotion. She combines a personal perspective with relevant research in formation in assessing how autism can be overcome and even, in some ways, turned to personal advantage. This ac count will be significant reading for any professional or lay person interested in autism, and is also a moving story of the human hidden behind a distorting facade. Amy Goffman, Registered Physical Therapist, Lake Forest, Ill.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Temple's remarkable story is uniquely valuable in helping us see autism from the 'inside. Her dedication to science and her uncompromising honesty about herself will help scientists understand the links between neurology, empathy, and altruism.' Lorna Jean King, OTR, FAOTA, Center for Neuro-Developmental Studies 'This is the story of a frightening journey which provides the reader with a first hand account of the sense of isolation, hopelessness, and anxiety suffered by autistics and their families.' Del Morrison, Ph.D., Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Clinic
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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.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
183 of 189 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
There are not enough words or good enough words to describe this book, or the person who wrote this book. I have been aware of the presence of Temple Grandin for some years now. I have read about her in Oliver Sack's books. I have seen journalistic shows concerning her on television. I have known that she is considered autistic (been diagnosed as that)and that she had a Ph.D. and works with animals, primarily livestock. All of this information predisposed me to be interested in her life, and ready to admire her for everything that she has accomplished.
However, it was not until my own nephew was diagnosed as having a developmental delay problem of his own, Asperger's, that I actually sought out more information about Temple Grandin and autism. In studying neuroscience, we just barely scratched the surface of this disability, and I remember thinking that this was an area of great dissent and of great need. Above all, there is an obvious need to hear from those who have autism. There are many books out there by parents, by physicians and scientists, by educators and psychiatrists. But there are few books by those who live the life of someone with autism. As a deaf person I know that those who would understand what it is like to be deaf in a hearing world cannot possibly imagine the problems, the obstacles, and even the joys which come with my differences. So I am also aware that I cannot understand other disabilities and differences unless they are told to me by someone who has actually been through it themselves.
Grandin does a great service to those with autism and those who have loved ones with autism or developmental delay disabilities.
... Read more ›92 of 94 people found the following review helpful
By R. Wallace
Format:Paperback
Temple Grandin might be the most famous autistic person in the world, and this book, her autobiography, at 180 simply-written pages, can be read by children and adults. It tends to be aimed more at children and teenagers, though. It details her problems growing up, misunderstood by many (but, happily, understood by some of the most important influences in her life). Like most autistic children, she was desperate for human contact but unable to tolerate it. She had a terrible temper, oftentimes couldn't communicate, and was continually overwhelmed by her environment. Yet she was exceptionally intelligent and creative. Instead of ending up locked in her own internal world, as autistic children often are, she was able to overcome many of her difficulties and gain a Ph.d. Her frightening journey is well worth reading.
68 of 70 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
During the first year after my son's diagnosis, I read thirty-four books on autism (I catagorized them according to personal account, family account, clinical study, education & intervention method). Four years later, this one stills ranks among the best in terms of personal accounts & has helped immensely in learning to understand my son, his behavior & how to get through to him so he'll understand me. An excellent account for parents who desire insight on what their children with autism are experiencing.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Julia
Format:Paperback
As the mother of a then two-year old with autistic spectrum disorder, I read this book looking for clues to my daughter's behaviors. I already knew of Temple Grandin's work from TV news magazine coverage.
I, like other parents of children with ASD, hope that my daughter will one day grow up to be like Temple Grandin -- much like parent's of "normal" children hope that their child will grow up to be the next Mozart or Einstein.
This book never told me "why" Temple feels the way she does. But it did, in a very readable style, tell me "what" she feels - or does not feel. It gave me an insight into my own child's cravings for deep pressure and other sensory input.
The most important thing that I gained from this book was the understanding of the power that parents can and do have over the educational process for their children. The work of Temple's mother was alluded to in this book, but it is obvious that her mother was a woman who bucked the conventions of the time (the 1950's) and sought inclusive education for her daughter.
I wonder if Temple will ever realize how very special her mother is, and what a wonderful gift she has given her daughter.
60 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If this were the only book that Temple Grandin had written about autism, it would be well worth reading. However, her more recent work "Thinking in Pictures" is less a sequel than a new (and better) version of the same book. This might be worthwhile for someone who has already read that book and would like some more detail on some of the topics covered there.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Since I began working with individuals with autism, I have been interested in reading works by adults with autism. I believe books such as this one offer a valuable insight into the world of an individual with autism. One of the main ideas I got out of this book was the idea that many individuals with autism experience sensory input differently than other individuals. This is an idea that I have heard from physical and occupational therapists for years, but Temple Grandin explains it so vividly, it is hard to forget. She talks about her simultaneous need for deep pressure and her intense desire not to be held by anyone. She explains that while she needs the sensory input, she needs to be in control of it. I have seen this in my work with small children with autism. I have been taught by physical and occupational therapists several ways to provide this much needed stimulation (such as wrapping the child in a blanket and rolling a ball over them). However, I have noticed that this only sometimes has a claming effect. Other times it makes the child more anxious. Since reading this book, I have worked with one preschooler and taught her words such as "hard", "scratch", "rub", and "tight". She is quite verbal and learns words quickly, but she did not know how to ask for the type of stimulation she needed. Before, the only control she had was to say "peanut" (the shape of the ball we roll over her) or "stop". Now, she can control not only when she gets stimulation, but also the type of stimulation. This is why I believe this type of book is so important. Temple had a very frustrating childhood because she could not adequately express what was in her mind.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Temple Grandins know how to tell her story
she's a compelling person in the field of autism, and otherwise. as is widely known by now, she's both autistic and gifted herself. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ms. S
5.0 out of 5 stars
courage
I used this book as a pair with The Curious Incident of the dog in the night time. They worked perfectly together. Love TG's story!
Published 1 month ago by Missy
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's okay
This book has it's ups and down. For the most part it was a good autobiography but I was not very impressed by it.
Published 2 months ago by AMarshall86
4.0 out of 5 stars
Emergence: Labeled Autistic
This is one of the first book I read after my daughters diagnosis in 1998 because there was such little information available. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tami A Goldstein
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Informative
A great book to give a beginning understanding of the mind and thought processes of an Individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Published 3 months ago by Karen Hawley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very informative
My grandson is autistic and I ordered this book to better understand him and his world. It was inspiring and very encouraging.
Published 4 months ago by M. Diania Abernathy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book describing life as an Autistic person
Temple Grandin tells what it is like to realize you are different and how others reacted to her difference. Very useful information for those of us that work with this population. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sharon Deaver
5.0 out of 5 stars
autism
I found this book to be fascinating, perhaps more so by how many years ago she wrote it and how much more we know about autism.
Published 7 months ago by db
4.0 out of 5 stars
Informative, Inspiring, and Educational
Temple Grandin, in Emergence: Labeled Autistic provides an inspiring and detailed account of here life growing up with autism. Read more
Published 9 months ago by zachary
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
Temple Grandin is an inspiration, and not just to folks who are autistic or who have children who are autistic. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Robin Ferruggia
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