The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum

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, treatments, and cures. Now Temple Grandin reports from the forefront of autism science, bringing her singular perspective to the latest science of autism. Grandin weaves her experience with new discoveries, introducing the neuroimaging advances and genetic research that link brain science to behavior—all leading to a route toward more effective mainstreaming and a way to unleash the unique advantages of autistic people.