According to Whitehouse et al (2009) "studies have shown that individuals with autism prefer social isolation" (as cited in Brownlow et al, 2015, p. 189). For example, she writes, “as a child I was like an animal that had no instincts to guide me; I simply had to learn by trial and error” (Grandin, 2006, p.153). However, his mentor, Mr. Carlock, put these fears at ease and believed in his talents and the inventions he created when no one else would. In turn, friendships were a difficult concept for her to understand, she writes in her book “Friendship always revolved around what I did rather than who I was” (Grandin, 2006, p. 153). Grandin (2006) goes on to write that it was easier to make friends over the phone than in person because you didn't have to face people, as there was minimal interaction. Ultimately, her passion for animals allowed her to overcome difficulties in challenges