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Author Donna Williams on the Experience of Autism

Williams grew up in an abusive family; they didn't know she was autistic. Williams has been labeled "deaf," "retarded," and "crazy." She ran away from home at a young age, lived on the streets, and managed to put herself through college. When she was 25, she learned the word "autistic," and set out to articulate to others her experience living in "a world under glass." Her autobiography is called "Nobody Nowhere."

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Other segments from the episode on November 30, 1992

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, November 30, 1992: Interview with Donna Williams; Interview with Bernard Rimland; Review of Julian Barnes' novel "Porcupine."
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15:46

A Psychologist and Father's Perspective on Autism

Psychologist Bernard Rimland is the director of the Autism Research Institute and is recognized by many as an authority on the treatment of autism and hyperactivity in children. He has first-hand experience: his son is autistic. Rimland was also an advisor on autism for the movie, "Rain Man." He wrote the forward to Donna Williams' autobiography.

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Exploring the World of People with Autism.

Donna Williams. Her first book "Nobody Nowhere" offered a journey through the mysterious condition of autism; it was an international bestseller. Once her case was properly diagnosed, Williams began therapy which took her out of the "world under glass" and into the real world of speech and emotion. This treatment is the subject of her new book "Somebody, Somewhere: Breaking Free from the World of Autism" (Times Books).

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Temple Grandin: The Woman Who Talks to Animals.

Temple Grandin is one of the world's greatest animal behaviorists. She is also autistic — and has put that to work for her. Grandin has written several books on animals, including Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior. This weekend, HBO will premiere a made-for-TV movie based on her life.

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43:28

Temple Grandin: A Key to Animal Behavior

Temple Grandin is one of the nation's top designers of livestock facilities. She is also autistic. Grandin's new book is Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior.

Scientist and animal behaviorist Temple Grandin

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