In this unprecedented book, 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. 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. "Temple Grandin, an icon in the world of animal welfare, is in fact an alien from a different kind of place," writes Roger Caras, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "She has come here from the almost unimaginable world of autism and sees both us and herself in a wonderfully new and lucid way. Thinking In Pictures is an amazing story about a remarkable woman." Here, in Temple Grandin's own words, is the story of what it is like to live with autism, to be among the few people who have broken through many of the neurological impairments associated with autism. Throughout her life, she has developed unique coping strategies, including her famous "squeeze machine," which she modeled after seeing the calming effect of squeeze chutes on cattle. She describes her painful isolation growing up "different" and her discovery of visual symbols to interpret the "ways of the natives." Thinking In Pictures also gives information from the front lines of autism, including treatment, medication, and diagnosis, as well as Temple's insights into genius, savants, sensory phenomena, and animal behavior. Ultimately, it is Temple's unique ability to describe the way her visual mind works and how she first made the connection between her impairment and animal temperament that is the basis of her extraordinary gift and phenomenal success.

"I am a professional trained in medicine and often encounter people with PDD, as well as austism. This book, "Thinking in Pictures", was more informative than any neurology book I have read. Its perspective is from one who has austism and not another medical professional who continues to talk with medical terminalogy that no one understands. It seems as though the author was given this gift from God to share and teach anyone willing to learn. As a result of this book, I have a different perspective and outlook towards PDD & autism. Thank you." Gerald J. Gambale