Temple Grandin: 20 Things you didn't know about the world-renowned spokesperson for autism

Updated on April 24, 2024

Source: USEA

Temple Grandin is a gifted American scientist, professor of animal science, and autism spokesperson. She’s best known for her work in animal behaviour and advocacy for autism awareness. Being on the spectrum herself, she has used her unique perspective to revolutionize practices in animal welfare, particularly in the cattle industry. She is a leading advocate for improving the welfare of livestock animals.

But success and advocacy did not just begin overnight; in fact, it took a couple of years for her voice to be heard, and although Temple Grandin’s remarkable life and achievements have been made into books, documentaries, and films, there’s still so much to uncover about the renowned professor and autism advocate and Trailblazer.

So here are 20 Things you didn’t know about the world-renowned spokesperson for autism.

Source: Yes! Magazine

Temple Grandin was born in Boston, Massachusets, on August 29, 1947, to Eustacia Cutler and Richard Grandin. Eustacia Cutler was a writer, singer, and activist, while Richard Grandin was a real estate agent. She also has three younger siblings: two sisters and a brother.

Temple Grandin faced communication challenges and other difficulties as a young child as she didn’t speak even at three years old and was misdiagnosed with brain damage and infant Schrizonpenia.

Her parents saw some potential, and although they were advised to send her to an institution, they sent her for specialized education in different private schools.

After going through speech therapy and finally being diagnosed with autism, she started speaking at age four, and her high intellectual abilities received dedicated support.

She attended several private schools and was once expelled after she threw a book at another student. However, a teacher noticed her IQ score, estimated to be around 130.

Grandin majored in psychology at Franklin Pierce College and graduated in 1970. Subsequently, I earned a master’s degree in animal science at Arizona State University in 1975 while working as livestock editor of an agricultural magazine, Arizona Farmer Ranchman.

She returned to school to pursue a doctoral degree, earning her Ph.D. in animal science in 1989. Three years earlier, in 1986, she published her autobiography, Emergence: Labeled Autistic.

Drawing inspiration from her sensory experiences, Temple Grandin developed the Hug Machine, also known as a squeeze machine. This device applies deep pressure to the body to provide a calming effect for people who find such stimulation beneficial.

Dr. Grandin’s inspiration for the Hug Machine came from observing cattle chutes on her aunt’s farm. These chutes have a similar function to the Hug Machine, noticeably calming the cattle as they pass through. This observation led her to believe that a similar approach could benefit people who find deep pressure calming.

While initially designed for personal use to manage her sensory needs, Dr. Grandin later expanded her research to explore the potential benefits for others. The Hug Machine was born out of this desire to help others experience the calming effects of deep pressure stimulation.

Today, the Hug Machine is used by children and adults, particularly those on the autism spectrum, to provide sensory comfort and regulation. Its adjustable design lets people on the spectrum personalize the pressure they receive,

Temple Grandin is a leading voice for people with autism. She has succeeded remarkably and inspires many young individuals and families navigating the autism spectrum. Known for her direct and helpful approach, she responds to numerous inquiries seeking guidance and support. Grandin actively champions the needs and experiences of those on the autism spectrum, advocating for greater understanding and inclusivity.

Temple Grandin, like some people with autism, is a visual thinker. This means she understands words by creating pictures in her mind. This unique skill helped her design better ways to handle livestock. She believed that less stressed animals produce better-quality meat. Even though she loves animals, she understands the need for slaughterhouses. She designs them to be as humane as possible, believing it’s better than the often cruel way animals die in the wild. Grandin founded her own company in 1975 called the Grandin Livestock Handling System to design and sell these improved livestock handling systems.

Although successful, navigating her work in a male-dominated field was challenging. Someone once vandalized her car with bull blood in an attempt to intimidate her. However, her unique way of thinking helped her navigate these challenges. She was often unaware of the subtle insults or hostility directed towards her, allowing her to focus on proving the value of her work. Over time, her innovative ideas gained acceptance in the industry. By 2010, more than half of the cattle processed in North America utilized a system designed by Grandin, including various additional innovative devices she had created.

Temple Grandin was nominated for induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in February 2017. This nomination recognized her significant contributions, placing her alongside over 250 other influential women in the history of the United States.

Outside of her work in animal science, welfare, and autism advocacy, Temple Grandin enjoys horseback riding, science fiction, movies, and biochemistry. For films and television, she prefers science fiction, documentaries, and thrillers over dramas or romances.

Source: HBO

Temple Grandin’s life story was captured in a critically acclaimed film produced by HBO in 2010. The movie titled “Temple Grandin” follows her journey through childhood, her career, and her remarkable achievements. The visually engaging biopic drew inspiration from her books, “Emergence” and “Thinking in Pictures.” The movie received widespread recognition, winning several Primetime Emmy Awards.

She was featured in the Time 100 magazine. In 2010, she was included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Her inclusion in the Time 100 magazine reflects her significant contributions to both animal science and autism awareness.

Temple Grandin continues to be a leading voice for people with autism. She has succeeded remarkably and inspires many young individuals and families navigating the autism spectrum. Known for her direct and helpful approach, she responds to numerous inquiries seeking guidance and support. Grandin actively champions the needs and experiences of those on the autism spectrum, advocating for greater understanding and inclusivity.

At 76 years old, Grandin is still a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State. She has written several books, including Emergence: Labeled Autistic (1986; with Margaret M. Scariano), Thinking in Pictures, and Other Reports from My Life with Autism (1995), and The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum (2013; with Richard Panek). Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor