Famous Women---T

 

 

Our Famous T is:

Temple Grandin (1947-    )

Quick Facts:

Autism Spokesperson

Autism is a neurodevelopmental
disorder that is seen or discovered
in early childhood.

Those dealing with Autism have
Difficulty with communication--
most are nonverbal and use
communication books or devices.
Forming relationships--playing or
interacting with others
They have restricted or repetitive
behaviors--some are very regimented
in routine, some enjoy repetition of
noises, moving their hands, tapping
etc.
Sensitivity to sensory stimulation--Too
loud for some while others prefer
swinging, spinning, "saying" gibbersh
and or making noises with their mouth
and voice.

Temple's life:

She was never formally diagnosed with
Autism as a child or youth.

At  two, it was said that she had a
"brain damage" and corroborated much
later at 64.

As a child her mother refused to put her
in an institution. Instead she found a
school that would work with her and
Temple so that Temple would have a
good school experience.

Middle and High School were tough years.
The kids did not understand her different
behaviors and they taunted her a lot.

When Temple was in her teens, her mother
came across an Autism checklist, after
going through it, her mother hypothesized
that Temple's symptoms/behaviors
were explained by Autism.

At a private boarding school for children
with behavior problems, Temple met a
Science teacher who had worked for NASA.
He became her mentor and helped her with
her self confidence. Followed her after she
left school.
This teacher suggested she that she build a
"hug box"--a deep pressure device designed
to calm hypersensitive people.
**At school, when our kids get a bit "wound
up" we find that the deep pressure helps to
calm them. We lightly squeeze their
shoulders, arms or hands. Some even like
a bit of pressure on their head. Kinda like
when we press on our heads when they hurt.

In 1970, Temple received a Bachelor's Degree
in Psychology.
In 1975, Temple received a Master's Degree
in Animal Science.
In 1989, Temple received a Doctorate in
Animal Science.
As we see here, anything can happen,
individuals with Autism can go all the way
college!

Temple is one of the first individuals on
the Autism Spectrum to publicly share
personal experiences with Autism.

She is a highly sought out speaker on
Autism and her experiences with it.

Professor of animal science

Consultant to the livestock industry on
animal behavior.
**I did not tough on the animal science
part ofher life but after reading some I
feel she applies her experiences with
Autism to how she handles the animal
behaviors. Please read more if interested.


Tomorrow will introduce you
to Famous U, V, W and Y.
There is no X or Z.


~Keep on Dreaming~