Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism (Vintage) [Paperback]

Temple Grandin (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 26, 2010 | Series: Vintage

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is a gifted animal scientist who has designed one-third of all the livestock-handling facilities in the United States. She also lectures widely on autism--because Temple Grandin is autistic, a woman who thinks, feels, and experiences the world in ways that are incomprehensible to the rest of us.

In this unprecedented book, Grandin delivers a report from the country of autism. Writing from the dual perspectivies of a scientist and an autistic person, she tells us how that country is experienced by its inhabitants and how she managed to breach its boundaries to function in the outside world. What emerges in Thinking in Pictures is the document of an extraordinary human being, one who, in gracefully and lucidly bridging the gulf between her condition and our own, sheds light on the riddle of our common identity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I hardly know what to say about this remarkable book. . . . It provides a way to understand the many kinds of sentience, human and animal, that adorn the earth." --Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs

"There are innumerable astounding facets to this remarkable book. . . . Displaying uncanny powers of observation . . . [Temple Grandin] charts the differences between her life and the lives of those who think in words." --The Philadelphia Inquirer

"A uniquely fascinating view not just of autism but of animal--and human--thinking and feeling, [providing] insights that can only be called wisdom." --Deborah Tannen, author of You Just Don't Understand

"How does a true marvel let you know it has arrived?. . . . It's hard to imagine even an intellect as towering as Sacks's coming up wtih perceptions as rare and completely out of left field as Grandin herself does in this mind-blowing book." --Newsday

"Temple Grandin's window onto the subjective experience of autism is of value to all of us who hope to gain a deeper understanding of the human mind by exploring the ways in which it responds to the world's challenges." --The Washington Times

"Temple Grandin, the anthropologist from Mars, takes us on a journey through her inner life and, with exquisite scientific detail, offers us a near photograph of the workings of her visual mind." --John Ratey, coauthor of Driven to Distinction

"Temple Grandin's legacy is the invaluable gift of compassion. This is a journey of courage, determination, and, above all, worth. Society is the better for Temple Grandin having left her mark on it." --Alex Pacheco, President, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

"Thinking in Pictures is a beautiful book. . . . Grandin has created a beautifully odd and fascinating picture of her life and mind, and her abiding love of animals." --Elle

"A tireless researcher with a bionic memory and a superb education, no one can write wtih Temple's authority because nobody knows as much as she does! This is an outstanding book that every parent and professional in the field of special needs will want to read, and the general reader will acquire a new appreciation of autism, its liabilities, and its formidable assets." --Annabel Stehli, author of The Sound of a Miracle

"Even Sacks's fine writing about autism does not really compare to writing from within autism, because autism is a disorder of interiority. . . . Grandin has replaced the teleology of autobiography with something much closer to her heart: a diagram, in this case a diagram of her own mind." --Voice Literary Supplement

About the Author

Temple Grandin has a Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Illinois and has designed one third of all the livestock-handling facilities in the United States, and many in other countries. She is currently an associate professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University and a frequent lecturer at autism meetings throughout the country. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; Exp Mti edition (January 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307739589
• ISBN-13: 978-0307739582
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (178 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Children's Health > Autism & Asperger's Syndrome

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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#36 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting

#46 in Kindle eBooks > Health, Fitness & Dieting

#36 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting

#46 in Kindle eBooks > Health, Fitness & Dieting

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 111 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and Thought-Provoking November 5, 2006

By T. Burgess

Format:Paperback

This book is absolutely amazing. I have 2 children with Asperger's and Temple Grandin's insight into why people with autism have certain behaviors was eye-opening. It also gave me a whole new perspective on what thought processes may effect their ability to learn abstract things and socialize with others. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Even if you don't personally know someone with autism it can certainly give you a first-hand look at how different people think differently.

108 of 113 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking In Pictues: And Other Reports from My Life With Aut April 28, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is a must-read book for parents, professionals, and teenagers/adults living with autism (it is not appropriate for younger readers). It is easy to read, entertaining and informative. Readers will come away with a greater understanding of autism and how widely the spectrum of autistic disorders can vary, as well as what to do to help someone with autism.

Ms. Grandin's greatest gift lies in her ability to understand both the worlds of non-autistics and autistics alike. Using her personal experiences as well as significant contributions from other people, she explains how baffling the world is to a person with autistism, in terms of unwritten social codes, our reliance on verbal thinking, relationships, appearances, etc. She discusses concrete ways in which autistics can be helped to integrate with society -- in families, friendships, other relationships, schools, and jobs.

Her chapter on medication is valuable, discussing how autism often requires different doses than are commonly prescribed. This is information that isn't readily available unless you are working with a physician who has extensive experience with autistic patients. Since an autistic person is highly sensitive, the effects of behavior modification medications are often amplified, requiring a lower dose. Particular attention needs to be given to medication combinations.

There is also information on many of the related disorders that often accompany autism, such as sensory integration disorders, Tourrette's Syndrome, ADD, etc. Everything is written from the perspective of the autistic with Ms. Grandin acting as translator.

Besides being informative, the book is optimistic in its view of autism. Ms. Grandin plainly credits autism for her success in her chosen profession. In fact, my only criticism of the book is the length of time she devotes to discussing her career path (this information is also contained in her earlier book "Emergence" ). However, this information may be motivating to autistics reading the book as she certainly has achieved remarkable things. She also includes a chapter on other highly accomplished autistics, with the message that different neurological wiring can be a great asset if properly supported early in life.

It is an informative, inspirational book that opens a window on autism and lets the rest of the world look in and understand.

76 of 80 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An enlightening glimpse into the autistic mind September 14, 2006

By Clinton B. Mckinlay

Format:Paperback

I have a 6-year-old autistic son. Though we love him tremendously, my wife and I have struggled greatly in raising him. This breakthrough book has helped us approach our interactions with him in a more effective manner. It also sheds precious insight into the autistic world for any curious or thoughtful person with an interest to know more. Thank you Temple Grandin for your remarkable achievements in life, which give us great hope for our son. And thank for giving us invaluable perspective on autism. You have blessed the lives of countless people.