Lit Circle Post: Meeting 2

Meeting Number 2: Pages 43-115

Thinking in Pictures, My Life With Autism

Temple Grandin

Summary: 

Temple Grandin talks a lot about the effects of autism, programs for it, and ways to treat it, which in my opinion resembled a guide for parents with autistic children rather than a book appropriate for a high school student. Since Temple is extremely passionate about a few things, as an inventor, she talks about how she created the squeeze machine, a machine designed to put pressure on the body to give the illusion of hugging and holding which comforted Grandin in times when she could not feel that from another human. She mentions the problems autistic people have with their senses like smell, taste, hearing, and feel becuase of how sensitive some are to even the slightest touch or noise. Later, Grandin goes on to discuss how to deal with the emotions of an autistic person and how relatable people with autism are to animals.

Major Claim: 

“The irony is that if I had given up the machine, I would have been a cold, hard rock. Without the machine, I would have had no kind feelings towards [her mother]”.

Response: 

Grandin describes how her mother felt unappreciated because of the lack of emotions she was able to express towards her. Her mother was even offended because of how she created this machine to serve as a method of love and care rather than a family member. However, Grandin is extremely creative in how she deals with this; she knows it will be better off for her mother if she takes the time in her squeeze machine to feel love and closeness to another object and later be able to deal with her mother in a more humane way. By being creative, she is dealing with her autism, and making it easier for the loved ones surrounding her.