Thinking in Pictures: My Life With Autism

As the title suggests, Grandin shares her thoughts and knowledge about the connection between autism and genius with the help of Einstein’s story. Grandin describes multiple instances of parents that have autistic children who possess intellectual prowess, as well as family associations of autism, anxiety, and depression. Intellectual ability and lesser degrees of autism are present within Grandin’s family as well, including her father’s fixation traits. Genetics appear to play a role in the presence of autism, likely due to multiple genes.

Autism and genius may represent the concept of abnormality. “If the genes that cause autism and other disorders such as manic-depression were eliminated, the world might be left to boring conformists with few creative ideas” (208). The degree of extreme behaviors and experiences of autism range from mild to severe, not all of which are negative. Grandin furthers the conversation about autism, genius, and the overlap between the two through a conversation about talented people like Ludwig Wittgenstein and Vincent van Gogh.

Many of Einstein’s characteristics, beginning in childhood, reflect behaviors of autism. He did not initially excel as a student. In fact, “Some people thought he was a dullard” (211). Grandin worries about how society perceives those with autism, especially in the educational system.