The Autistic Brain

Thinking Across the Spectrum

De: Temple Grandin, Richard Panek

Narrado por: Andrea Gallo

A cutting-edge account of the latest science of autism, from the best-selling author and advocate.

When Temple Grandin was born in 1947, autism had only just been named. Today it is more prevalent than ever, with one in 88 children diagnosed on the spectrum. And our thinking about it has undergone a transformation in her lifetime: Autism studies have moved from the realm of psychology to neurology and genetics, and there is far more hope today than ever before thanks to groundbreaking new research into causes and treatments. Now Temple Grandin reports from the forefront of autism science, bringing her singular perspective to a thrilling journey into the heart of the autism revolution.

Weaving her own experience with remarkable new discoveries, Grandin introduces the neuroimaging advances and genetic research that link brain science to behavior, even sharing her own brain scan to show us which anomalies might explain common symptoms. We meet the scientists and self-advocates who are exploring innovative theories of what causes autism and how we can diagnose and best treat it. Grandin also highlights long-ignored sensory problems and the transformative effects we can have by treating autism symptom by symptom, rather than with an umbrella diagnosis. Most exciting, she argues that raising and educating kids on the spectrum isn’t just a matter of focusing on their weaknesses; in the science that reveals their long-overlooked strengths she shows us new ways to foster their unique contributions.

From the “aspies” in Silicon Valley to the five-year-old without language, Grandin understands the true meaning of the word spectrum. The Autistic Brain is essential listening from the most respected and beloved voices in the field.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Temple Grandin and Richard Panek (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

things I have never known or considered.

In depth first person account of autism in a way that anyone can understand.

Ways of thinking

The description of different ways the autistic brain this in is was mind blowing, I,especially appreciated her suggestions at the end about socializing a person with autism to be a useful part of society. this applies to Neuro typical people as well!

Very Interesting

This book was very interesting! Love all the details and information! Love hearing from Temple’s perception.

I didn’t know what I didn’t know 

This book was like turning on a light switch. I’ve only known ASD from the clinical side. Temple brings it into living color. We are grateful for this book in ways that words cannot express. A must read.

Great Read

I appreciate her description of autism as not to look upon it as weakness, but to search out for their strengths.

Diversity of Autism

I Liked being educated about the many aspects of autism. No dislikes, it's all new to me.

Problems at may have gotten me fired, after calmed down, thought I maybe Autistic, this book helped me better understand myself.

Problems at may have gotten me fired, after calmed down, thought I maybe Autistic, this book helped me better understand myself.

My continual frustration at work seemed to start with our latest Director, not the directorship itself, but many unfortunate events that compiled at an inconvenient time. 1st my new supposedly Awesome Analytics Computer did not operate all my software that my last PC was able to, that I had to turn-in because it was old. I was fed up and sent and email to the director and two other high level leaders. Basically, I was told to Shut up and Color. I was counseled by my Supervisor and manager, and told I should not expect great things from a new organization and not expect things today like I had in the past. Besides my computer not fully functional, the two alternative functions eventually failed. One task used to be accomplished in less than 30 seconds and now takes over 1 hour. So, I am now less frustrated, anxiety almost non-existent and leadership understands business will take much longer to accomplish. Windows 11 removed the Quick Launch feature that existed since 2007, still is a burden but Leadership knows everyone’s tasks will take much longer.

Temple’s book was very informative, especially the detail of research and DSM definitions from non-existent to existing and then dropping Asperger’s and retaining Autism. The different type of Thinkers, the importance of social skills and not to dwell on deficit but work with positive aspects. Not Diagnosed as Autistic, but born with Klinefelter’s Syndrome, but not Diagnosed until Age 22. Now a days Expectant Mothers are made aware via amniocentesis of issues that may arise. We are able to share with Expectant Mothers how we turned out and it is not a reason to terminate to pregnancy. Prior to amniocentesis most did not find out until they tried to have children. So I hope they keep doing research to help expectant families to they can prep and not abort. We may have eventually, had a lightbulb, but with Thomas Edison we had it soon due to stick-to-id-ness.

So much wonderful information!

This book is full of information about current imaging and research about Autism, and very helpfully puts that research in context of the history of Autism diagnosis and research. I also found the section about the implications and dilemmas presented by the changes from DSM 4 and DSM 5 criteria for Autism and related conditions completely and utterly fascinating and thought-provoking. The section near the end about identifying an autistic individual's strengths was also uplifting. This book gave me many, many "Ah-hah!" moments that I wrote down for further personal research. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and a thoroughly enjoyable listen with a narrator who spoke with beautiful clarity.

actually helpful

Temple Grandin did an amazing job of writing a book about autism that is actually helpful. She did a fantastic job of tempering opinion and personal experience with science and data. Opinion and personal experience are valuable, but they are often misused by authors. Also, she presented the information in ways that were actually helpful. Instead of just being informative, she offered valuable insights and viewpoints that gave me things to think about. As an autistic person, I find it very frustrating when people who aren't autistic formulate opinions and write books about it, because they almost always look like someone trying to teach a language they don't know. It looks like a big, fat blunder. This book was very refreshing and very much a triumph. Good job, Temple. Thank you.

The way I see my own brain

I have often gotten confused about the different way autistic brains work, mine included. This helps me understand more about my own way of thinking so that I don’t feel so bad about the way I try to talk to people about the things that I really think about.

I feel like there are some areas that I could expand on because it feels insufficient but I like where it leads.

Dr. Grandin helps me feel not so different anymore. I mean I am different. I have always known I am different. I just feel less isolated and that really means something to me.