Temple Grandin is one of the most accomplished adults with autism in the world. Her parents were told she should be institutionalised but, today, she is a university professor and bestselling author, rightly celebrated for transforming attitudes towards autism.
In this groundbreaking book, Grandin reports from the forefront of autism science, including remarkable discoveries about the brain and the latest genetic research. In her view we need to treat autism symptom by symptom, rather than with an umbrella diagnosis.
Most exciting of all, Grandin argues that raising autistic children needs to be less about focussing on weaknesses, and more about fostering their unique contributions.
Autism can be turned into a gift, not a disability.
DO YOU THINK IN PICTURES, PATTERNS OR WORDS?
In a world engineered for the verbal thinker, those with a visual brain are often overlooked and underestimated. In this landmark new book, international bestselling author and activist Temple Grandin transforms our understanding of how our brains are wired differently.
Bringing together cutting-edge research and her own experience as a visual thinker, Grandin reveals a ground-breaking new approach to revolutionizing modern structures such as education, health and media so that they equally serve people with all kinds of minds. Visual Thinking is a perspective-shifting book that will open our eyes to the value of a life in picture.
COMING TO TERMS WITH YOUR AUTISTIC KID [IN A WORLD NOT ALWAYS FIT FOR THEIR NEEDS]
They’ll possess deeply held values and very strong morals. They might drape the ceiling of their bedroom with green coloured stripes of paper from time to time. And if we ask them why, they might say, they want the bedroom to look and feel like a tree.
And sometimes you may go to switch the lights on, only to discover all the light bulbs have been changed to fireplace lamps. And if we ask them why, they might say, they wanted to feel like they live in a dungeon.
It’s good news though: there will never be a dull moment. Each day is another new adventure. There will always be another creative problem to solve, or colouring-in to think of. This of course is even when they are 40-years old.
They will always be wild doodlers.
However they won’t like conventional thinking. They’ll not tolerate it. Simply because they lack the capacity and possess a different style of thought.
Reality is subjective. And their experience of it is anything but normal, whatever that even means. And it will be nothing like our own. Their version of reality is very peculiar and their experiences are extraordinary.
They can get obsessed with tight spaces. So if you ever see them trying to live in a wardrobe, don’t panic. Don’t be worried or concerned by these unusual activities. These are all signs pointing in a positive direction, to having unusual qualities many the rest of us would have difficulty with.
For instance, having a compulsive, single mindedness obsession towards a subject or activity that requires every lapse of their concentration isn’t exactly a bad thing. The ability to say no and pass on a multitude of other things to focus solely on one thing is necessary to achieve anything.
Learning how to foster these qualities then can bring about remarkable achievements. Therefore a dash of autism is essential for sticking to a project long enough to see it through to completion. The ability to spend the entirety of everyday thinking about and excited by the rush of thought for long periods of time means you can’t ever feel bored. That kind of mind, or mindset, will have greater access to deeper thoughts about their subjects.
They might also prefer the company of pets over people. Because pets don’t talk or interrupt their train of thought!
So be willing to spend long enough on problems with this attitude and only one of two things can happen:
You will either get it done.
Or you will die having fun.
PETS BEFORE PEOPLE: IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW BY NOW [NOW YOU DO]
It’s amazing what can go over your head. I’ve read Mastery by Robert Greene once a year every year for 9-years now.
But it’s only now I can finally see it.