Grandin Chapter Summary

Throughout the book I think it is very evident that Grandin is very capable of coping with her disorder and deficits and utilizes her strengths to the best of her ability. Having motivation and ability to endure throughout many aspects of life is a big psychosocial factor for those with deficits. Because many people with autism crave pressure stimulation but cannot tolerate being touched, she invented a "squeeze machine." The device helps both children and adults cope with panic attacks, and today it's widely used within the autistic community. During a visit to her aunt's Arizona ranch, Grandin discovered that the way cattle were confined in a squeeze for inoculation was more calming for the animals immediately after pressure was administered. She realized this deep pressure
Since relationships can shatter easily and have to be approached carefully she made further associations in how to establish relationships. She also alluded to how being trapped between windows is a lot like being autistic. The windows symbolized her feelings of disconnection from people and helped her to cope with isolation.1 Therefore throughout her life and career, door and window symbols have enabled Grandin to make progress and connections. Grandin also describes how using her visualization ability she can observe herself from a distance and can be her own “little scientist in the corner.” She has built up a large library of memories and past experiences after self observation to help guide decision processes when normally her own logical decision making may lead her astray. She has also used a lot of coping skills when it came to making her way through a “man’s world” and designing meat packing facilities. She began by starting her design business on a freelance basis so that she could avoid a lot of the social problems that occur at a regular