Grandin is one of the leading authorities on the design of animal handling facilities, specializing in the humane handling of animals at the point of slaughter in the meat industry. She is credited with having “done more to improve welfare for animals at the point of slaughter than any human alive.” (The Guardian, 10/25/05) Grandin suffers from autism; a condition which she believes helps her to think or perceive more like an animal than a “normal” human, and has led to her insights concerning animal behavior.