Temple Grandin – Calvin; The January Series

As we celebrate Multicultural Communication month, we can look to Temple Grandin to show us how it may feel to walk in someone else’s shoes.

On Monday, January 10, 2011, the Grand Rapids community was treated to the thoughts and words of Temple Grandin who spoke as part of The January Series at Calvin. It was titled “All Kinds of Minds: The Importance of Developing Each Person's Unique Strengths”. Dr.Grandin knows much about this type of development as she was born in 1947 and declared autistic at a very young age. Her mother was extremely supportive and persistent in Temple’s learning process. By the age of 16, Temple was attending a school for the gifted.

Dr. Grandin went on to receive her Ph.D in animal science from the University of Illinois in 1989. From an early age, she has been a huge advocate of the humane treatment of animals. After living with her aunt on her farm during the summer, Temple learned how cattle were calmed when put into a restraining machine. While in college, she built a similar machine for herself to help her remain calm during panic episodes. Dr. Grandin has worked with many large corporations throughout the country to consult on curved cattle shoots and other improvements for the general well-being of animals at the time of slaughter.

Dr. Grandin’s focus for this series was the development of unique strengths.

She discussed how different people think in various ways. Our brains are very diverse in the way we develop and process our thoughts. She talked a lot about the spectrum of autism. She is high-functioning autistic but there is an entire range in which people may fit. Dr. Grandin has also been diagnosed with Asperger’s which is part of this large spectrum of autism and is categorized by social isolation and eccentric behavior. She found life awkward and difficult as a child. Personal hygiene was not a priority. Walking through an automatic door into a grocery store could set her world into a tailspin.

Today, Dr. Grandin states that she is living proof that the characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled. She stressed that there are thousands of people just like her who simply see the world in a different light. She joked that we would not have computers or gadgets if it were not for people with Asperger’s.

Dr. Grandin was very charming, funny and inspirational in the ideas she shared. She showed us that someone with autism and Asperger’s can learn to be an excellent communicator. She took the time to address all questions from the audience. I distinctly remember one moment when she had us laughing so hard, I had to wipe the tears from my eyes.