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TEMPLE GRANDIN, Ph.D
The story of Temple Grandin has gone a long way toward dispeling the "preconceived" notions that some people
have about autism and autistic people. Her
story is a powerful affirmation that autism need not keep people from realizing their potential!
To view Temple's
resume & accomplishments CLICK HERE. After viewing them just close the window to return to this page.
Temple Grandin, despite a lifelong struggle with autism, earned
a doctoral degree in animal science. Today, she invents equipment for managing  livestock and teaches at a major university. A woman of extraordinary accomplishments, she has also written several books
on animal science, autism, and her own life.
Yet at 6
months old, Temple had many of the full-blown signs of autism. When held, she would stiffen and struggle to be put down. By
age 2, it was clear that she was hypersensitive to taste, sound, smell, and touch. Sounds were excruciating. Wearing clothes
was torture: the feel of certain fabrics was like sandpaper grating her skin. Constantly buffeted by overpowering sensations,
she screamed, raged, and threw things. At other times, she found that by focusing intently and exclusively on one item, her
own hand, an apple, a spinning coin, or sand sifting through her fingers she could withdraw into a temporary haven of order and predictability.
As was customary at
the time, a doctor advised that Temple be institutionalized. Her mother refused and placed her in a therapeutic program for
children who were speech impaired. The classes were small and highly structured. Even though the program was not designed
to treat autism, the methods worked for Temple. By age 4, she began to speak and by age 5 she was able to attend kindergarten
in a regular school.
Temple attributes her success to several key people in her life: her mother, who persisted
in finding help; her therapist, who kept her from withdrawing into an inner world; and a high school teacher who helped transform
her interest in animals into a career in animal science.
Temple's insights into the needs of animals, a strongly developed ability to think visually "in pictures,"
and an awareness of her own special needs led her to invent equipment that has helped both livestock and, remarkably, herself.
After seeing a device used to calm cattle, she created a "squeeze machine." The machine provides self- controlled
pressure that helps her relax. She finds that after using the squeeze machine, she feels less aggressive and less hypersensitive.
With her love of animals and her personal sensitivity as a guide, Temple has also designed humane equipment and facilities
for managing cattle that are used all over the world. Her unusually strong visual sense allows her to plan and design these
complex projects in her head. She can precisely envision new, complex facilities and how various pieces of equipment fit together
before she draws a blueprint.
She is a truly extraordinary woman, and a great example to all!
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