Grandin delivers a report from the country of autism. Writing from the dual perspectives 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.
While Grandin may be able to perceive the world from a cow’s perspective, she cannot empathize with people. This is the paradox at the core of her identity as an autistic scientist ... This is no how-to book; it ought to capture the interest of intellectually curious readers for whom Grandin creates a vivid, looking-glass world ... Temple Grandin may well think in pictures, but she has mastered the written word in this highly readable account of life as a resident alien in our midst.
An extraordinary view into the workings of an autistic mind. Grandin, a professor of animal behavior (Colorado State Univ.) and a world-renowned designer of livestock equipment, attributes her creativity, technical skills and understanding of animals to the autism that has set her apart from most of human society ... For the general reader, her revelations about herself--growing up, meeting the right teachers, and finding the right career niche--and her insights into animals are what make this account so fascinating ... The inspiring story of a courageous, dedicated and most unusual woman.
Throughout these essays, Grandin blends personal anecdotes with plainspoken accounts of scientific approaches to autism and methods of treatment, like drug therapy and a 'squeeze machine' she invented to modify sensory stimulation. Although her prose is uneven, her insights and achievements are astonishing. Ultimately, Grandin finds within science and autism the basis for belief in God, given that her designs, which spring from her powers of visualization, reduce suffering and promote calm in both the animals and herself.
