Show Notes

Discover what’s possible when different brains come together. 


Dr. Temple Grandin is well known for both her pioneer work as an autism advocate and her lifelong dedication to animal welfare. Through groundbreaking research aimed at understanding her own autistic mind, Dr. Grandin propelled the awareness of autism during a time when very little was known of it. She is an incredible source of hope for children with autism, their parents, and anyone with a dream. 


Dr. Grandin became an internationally recognized leader in animal handling innovations after developing a corral that improved the quality of life of cattle by reducing stress. She has consulted with the USDA and major corporations such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Whole Foods, and Chipotle. Today, half of the cattle in North America are handled in facilities she designed. 


Dr. Grandin is also a prominent author, having written several books on autism and animal behavior. She has been featured on various media outlets and programs, including NPR, BBC, Larry King Live, 2020, Sixty Minutes, and TED, to name a few. In 2010, HBO produced an Emmy Award-winning movie about her life, and later that year, she was highlighted in TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2016, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. These days, Dr. Grandin continues to write and teaches Animal Science at Colorado State University. 


In this episode, we discuss:



  • The spectrum of autism needs

  • The evolution of diagnostic criteria 

  • Dr. Grandin’s opinion on the removal of Asperger's syndrome from the DSM-5 and the classification of autism under a single umbrella

  • The neurodiversity movement

  • ABA therapy

  • Teaching autism awareness in schools

  • Mental health challenges faced by autistic individuals

  • Tips for autistic self-advocates, encouraging targeted advocacy and constructive action to make a difference in their communities


For more information about Dr. Grandin and her work, please visit: 


https://www.templegrandin.com/  


https://www.grandin.com/


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This conversation with Dr. Temple Grandin was originally released on December 10, 2020. 


Dr. Grandin’s most recent book Autism and Education: The Way I See It: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know was published in April 2023.


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