Temple Grandin: "The Autistic Brain"

Temple Grandin is one of the world's most iconic scientists. A leading expert on animal behavior, she has even been the subject of a movie, in which Claire Danes played her in an award-winning performance. Her accomplishments are legion, including her creation of livestock-handling facilities based on animals' natural behavior. But her greatest impact might be as one of the most prominent adults with autism. The condition has given Grandin unique insights, orienting her work on animals and allowing her to rethink human nature. The result is a series of best-selling books-"Animals Make Us Human," "Animals in Translation," and "Thinking in Pictures," among many others-as well as the hug (or "squeeze") machine, used for calming hypersensitive patients. More recently, autism itself has become the subject of her research. Her most recent book, "The Autistic Brain," presents the latest physiological research and charts the shift from neurological to genetic approaches to the condition. Grandin shares this new work with her trademark intelligence and accessibility.
This program is generously underwritten by Rose L. Shure.

[Mindy]

I wish she was running schools. We desperately need someone like her to run the department of education.

[Sang Beom]

She needs to be the Secretary of Education

[A. P.]

DPI - the department of education is a joke. I'm an educator. All children are getting the shaft these days. Common core is secret code for don't give a d***. Children are all unique and one size does not fit all. Teachers are not allowed to teach best practice. Its one way or the highway. Now it is too many who see teaching as a job not a calling. I am a teacher. I was born with being able to teach inside my personality. It was my mission in life to help my children and I loved it. Retired a couple of years ago. I could not take watching kids fall through the cracks and being told I couldn't teach a different method that would suit their learning style better. Public school has been broken for years. I think it may be close to death. Heartbreaking.

[Souven Tudu]

Absolutely

[Jonathan Weilbacher]

Absolutely!

[Metalmogul46]

I am 66 years old and have just discovered this video. Temple Grandin has described Autism so well that I finally feel like I fit in this world. I have Autism and struggled with everything she has described, every last thing. Wow wow and wow again the light switch just went on. I Like every minute of this video. What a relief.

[Cynthia Stogden]

I was only aware when I reached 70. Explains everything.

[Jenn Hill]

14:00

[Jenn Hill]

13:14 13:14

[Jenn Hill]

@Tracey Ní Breitheamh 🇮🇪it j

[Linda Lynch]

Temple was my graduate instructor. She was the first person to recognize my own autism. She helped me focus my talents. Its nice to listen to her presentations and recall how much we think alike. I struggle in my present work because they prefer to march in a straight line.

[Erika Cardona]

Wonderful 🥰

[xhaltsalute]

lucky duck!!

[TOMASZ STARLING]

She was lucky to have the right motivators, mentors and teachers, unfortunately too many don't and fall thru the cracks into oblivion!

[Joyce Brewer]

@Luke Bird My parents totally forbade me to drop out of highschool. I wanted to. I did get a diploma, but never figured out what came next. None of the salaried jobs I was aware of appealed. Farming, was just plain too exhausting to be a career. What I would have liked to try was to make my livelihood as a wild food forager. My family all thought that was a terrible idea and never allowed it. Looking back, l had a better chance of making a go of it there, then. Now I live in surroundings much less able to support foraging as a lifestyle.

[Joyce Brewer]

@The Mercury 13 Try not knowing until your late 50's about autism. My whole life has been cringe.

[tales from princesa jesa]

Yes, they do

[Minnie Lovell]

i’m autistic and i’ve been struggling a lot in life because i had an abusive family and did not have support to nurture my unique way of thinking. i’m thankful i am still alive because there have been many times where i have lost hope for myself thinking that i will never able to handle how overwhelming the world is, and it’s doubly hard when you weren’t raised with the support to learn the skills to cope with it. but having watched this video for the first time i can firmly say that this gave me hope that i can change the world. i am so amazed by her enthusiasm and passion and knowledge. this made me realize that i have to accept myself and be unapologetically myself. and the life i want to live is one where i experience all that i can and amass as much knowledge as i can about my interests and create an expansive portfolio of my work. i have so much creativity and ideas inside of me and this reminded me that i need to share them.

[Dani]

i believe in you

[Holly Clark]

Your writing style is expressive and your creativity is obvious!

[steve ascension]

She deserves the Nobel Prize or any other equivalent. She has more guts than a room full of prize fighters.

[Reinier Post]

Guts, but, as she's saying, also a can-do attitude her mother instilled in her.

[accoustic legand 2]

💯

[PaddleFar]

@YO She’s considered by the Scientific community as one of one hundred most influential people in the world, that’s alive today.

[YO]

no she doesnt

[Callan Rose]

My 3 year old son is autistic and this video not only gives me skills to nurture him, it gives me hope that he will live a wonderful and fulfilling life.Thank you.

[Debbie O]

I saw Temple Grandin speak at a conference when my son was 3 and diagnosed with autism. He is now 36 years old and doing very well. Don't give up hope and push push push until your son gets into a normal classroom and around typical peers and do ABA Therapy with him and get a PHD to help design a home program for him. It will help him greatly in his future, without that, my son would not have excelled to who he is today.. Never give up and fight for your child, especially in the school district.. Get a home therapy program guided by a autism specialist and have 35 - 40 hour per week of in home behavior modification therapy until your child can be placed into a regular classroom... Get it done, his future is your future and success as well.

[Joyce Brewer]

@Becky StJohn What I have read about ABA, many of those who have been through it describe it as abusive. Having been undiagnosed in my youth may have been a blessing, although it meant I experienced a lot ,of other kinds of abuse.

[Elizabeth Rindfleisch]

Temple's mother took responsibility for her daughter's education. If not for her Temple would never have become the person we all appreciate so much. Our school system still fails so many on the spectrum.

[iluvmusic1716]

Exposure, show them how to act in social situations, gently tell them wrong doing privately, and practice, practice, practice.

[Di Ramirez 🏴‍☠️]

It's so sad that it takes this amazing woman to point out that having different ways of looking at things is important. We can not pretend that everyone thinks the same, that only one way of thinking is "correct". We need to accept each other's differences and appreciate them.

[Kenny Ewing Flores]

Her work can hopefully bring us a more peaceful world: when we understand each other's minds better, we communicate better. Better communication makes a more functional, prosperous world.

[Di Ramirez 🏴‍☠️]

@Eric Wilson thanks for the entertaining word salad 🥗👍🏽

[Barb Lupole]

Absolutely!!

[Marjorie Uy]

I absolutely love this woman. She reminds me of all the great teachers I grew up with that KNEW how to teach that encouraged your strengths.

[Meadow Rae]

I'm autistic and so is my son. At about 23 minutes I almost cried. People always acted like I was weird for how I spoke to my son, how I taught him things. Every concept needed an example, like when they ask for word origin at a Spelling Bee. It takes longer, and it meant I was having (in my mind) full conversations with him at 3 years old. When he got to school they said he couldn't possibly be autistic; his language skills weren't impaired. The "impairments" didn't show up until 1st grade, when he started having meltdowns and problems socializing with peers.

[taleandclaw rock]

Exactly the same pattern with me and my youngest son.

[Nite Fox]

ASD was missed in schools in my day if you were really high functioning, had creative self ingenuity and bit of help along the way. I could not learn particularly in junior high and high school. My parents knew something was wrong. They put me in a community college for a lot of years where I had teachers like Temple. I went a lot further in life because of them. Good mentors. Most people on the spectrum are so overwhelmed they forget how smart they really are so they just stay inside. My parents MADE me do things. Sometimes that went the wrong way, sometimes not.

[Ryan Crowell]

@mags _ Hope that things have improved.

[mags _]

@ThirrinDiamond is this real? I have a variety of behaviors that I am leaning into more so I can cope with stress better. I have been living with my husband for a decade and 800 miles from home. I came home and my mom said "what happened, you never used to be this talkative" my husband has been so supportive of my "quirks". I have a restrictive eating disorder, drugs/alcohol problem, SI, I started hurting myself at a young age. I used to hide in my closet. I'm traveling with 3 dogs and 3 humans. I have a natural intuition for animals and no one can speak dog better than me. I live in a small town with a bubble around it. This traveling is not going well. I had a full meltdown the first night. All of this to say, I've found various coping mechanisms to cope and I have really been showing more of that recently. You kind of answered my question as to what is "wrong with me" I've been working so hard on perfecting myself but I often wonder how much I'm just "stuck" with. My husband says that a diagnosis doesn't change anything and I can't see any reason to be tested as an adult. I'm exhausted from typing this. I'm so sorry for the novel I wrote

[uKnow]

What did you end up doing with your life?

[Gail Lewis]

Not to take anything away from her brilliant designs and her lecture circuit, but Temple is the undisputed Queen of the Cowgirl Shirt.

[natalie papolis]

Lol I think she designs them

[Deanna Heath]

Yessssss she’s owns it right 💜

[jody ramsay]

Working with livestock will do that to ya

[Atchafala Tucker, MA]

How could anyone not just love her? She's amazing. What she's speaking about applies to every human! I'd love to meet this woman. She's just phenomenal...

[BluebellBeatnik]

@Claudia Bothner what is wrong with you? she isn't big headed. perhaps you don't understand confidence in women considering how this society tries to manipulate women into feeling and behaviour inferior?

[Terry my Raejtytk]

I went to a seminar she gave. She signed her book for me and she is awesome.

[ChargersGirlKarina]

@stvbrsn ((I90 I

[Just. J]

@Cristina Gutierrez is he non-verbal or does he exhibit stress when trying to form verbal responses? Can he draw you a response, or write it? How about sensory issues? What stimuli seem to stress him? How much help did he have in school? There's so much to consider...more information is needed.

[faith Clark-Crawford]

I worked with a boy who was 5 at the time who is so incredibly smart.I went to put a paper in his backpack and saw he had a periodic table tucked in there. At first I thought it was something that just caught his eye but curiosity got the better of me so I asked him. He not only told me what it was but when I pointed to the symbols he correctly identified each and every one. At six he knew all the planets, could spell them and tell you how many moons they did or did not have. Definitely has a science brain. But socially he struggles. I just find working with autistic kids fascinating, challenging and rewarding.

[Donna Li]

Wow...amazing. Kindle that brilliance!

[Anthony Capuano]

Faith, I need to comment on your very last sentence regarding your feelings towards working with autistic children. As a father of a child on the spectrum, he had an aid from 3rd to 12th grade. I want to thank you and every other individual working in that capacity. Your dedication, professionalism and love is what helps these children navigate through their awkward formative years. My child is a HS graduate ready for post secondary computer science opportunities in college. His future is bright. A far cry from where he began from educational concerns, diagnoses to diploma. There are many kids who benefit greatly by the efforts and guidance from professionals such as yourself. You may never always know the end results of your efforts, but you make a difference in the lives of those children nonetheless. My heart felt thanks goes out to you and others for the vital role you all play! ❤👍

[kaylee Parker]

I work with children with Autism, and I absolutely love her explanations and out look. Her lecture is the first I have found completely engaging and interesting. She is brilliant!❤️

[Obioha Onwubiko]

Lol! I just loove this lady. In autism we speak so bluntly. Just for the purposes of transfering data. No ulterior motives.

[Woodchipper Worshipper]

They’re Overrepresented in science

[Alpha Centauri]

@Baxstabber communication is the vessel in which to effectively (or not) transfer your thoughts, ideas, feelings. All I have to go on is your communication. It wasn't attacking it, per say, but calling out that whatever message you are hoping to transfer, and have understood...is poorly presented. It backfired as you were trying to tear me down. That's the issue. If this communication form (writing) isn't your forte, don't use it and expect any grand understanding, or results. Also...a huge contradiction... "...people that can communicate very effectively despite not knowing what they are talking about." Are you kidding? You obviously do not understand all the dynamics, nuances, facets of communication. "Effective" communication starts with knowing the subject matter very well. That's only the beginning. You cannot have effective communication without high knowledge. I think you are confusing, watering down, communication with mere words. That may be PART of communication. However, like a complex dimensional analysis equation...when you get some variables wrong, the end result will be erroneous. Communication is the same. It is many parts, variables, awareness, and involves the person communicating to be aware of their own deficiencies. Most people are terrible communicators. They have biases, cognitive distortions and so on...influencing them, as well as individual, and contextual influences. A whole thesis could be written about this...but I will spare you. Sure, you can argue whatever you want regarding whether communication isn't the "be all of intelligence". I never said anything of the sort...be careful what your mind tries to "interpret" regarding others, in order to make sense of things. It often gets it wrong. There are some gifts with autism, communication isn't one of them. Unfortunately, communication is a huge factor in being able to understand others, and be understood. That's why it's so important. It allows for self advocacy, self agency, empowerment, connection. You can definitely make it in life without communication skills, but it's much much harder. It's like trying to make it to Alaska from Florida with no vehicle. Sure, you can "make" it, but the likelihood of getting there is way less, he likelihood of having a result you don't want is way higher. So while, yes you can make it through life with no transportation (insert communication)...but it is much, much more challenging. I wasn't offended. That again is a narrative your mind created. Unfortunately, with the lack of communication skills, and therefore inserting meaning and intention onto others also...you end up with a very warped lens of reality. I actually imagine that must be hard to be blind to your own blindness...and therefore come at others with ignorance and arrogance, believing with every fiber of your being you are "right". Being "right" isn't what this life is about. It's about learning, adapting, growing, correcting. I would never be where I am now, without questioning and redirecting myself, many times. Communication is the most powerful currency to be able to succeed. You can have all the IQ in the world, but if you have no EQ...often you can't get very far. Communication is at the center of EQ. I wish you well. Address your core wound of shame. You are good enough. Nothing that anyone (me included) can say to you...would effect you, unless you already fear it deep within. Develop your self confidence. Not a false, egoic, posturing one...but really develop your own strengths and learn how to improve communication the best you can. If you take things personally and see most things as a criticism...that shows you have a lot of work. Don Miguel Ruiz, The four agreements...I highly recommend.

[Baxstabber]

@Alpha Centauri Aha I'm autistic and it does effect my communication :p however communication isn't the be all of intelligence. Afterall there are plenty people that can communicate very effectively despite not knowing what they're talking about. The fact that you chose to go after my communication demonstrates a lack of intelligence. You got offended, so my communication worked out well. 😂 Thanks for playing. :)

[grizzlygrizzle]

@Baxstabber -- No, it was a sloppy rant from a failed PhD student in philosophy fueled by too many cocktails.

[Alpha Centauri]

@Baxstabber if you could write a clear sentence, that was intelligible, I could potentially respond. It is incoherent and bordering on word salad. I hope you have someone who can help you & that you can develop some communication, where your points can actually come across in the way you hope. Be well

[Elena Latici]

What a gift she is to all of us whether we're on the spectrum or not. And what she's done for animal welfare is beyond my ability to verbalize. So. many of the most valuable things I've learned in my life I learned from horses. I love the way she talks. No nonsense, just the facts. Brilliant.

[Elena Latici]

@uKnow Patience, non-verbal communication, the value of positive reinforcement, the extreme, lasting damage of punishment, especially physical punishment which is in all cases nothing less than abuse; what it takes to build trust in a relationship; the mistaken idea of the need to control and/or dominate; the need to pay attention to small, non-verbal signs of either physical or mental distress; the need to take care of and be responsible for the well being of a creature who depends on you; the humbling knowledge of the deep intelligence and emotional life of animals; their ability to express love. I could go on, but it's 4o'clock in the morning. All of the above also pertains to relationships with humans, especially children.

[Elena Latici]

@uKnow Patience, non-verbal communication, the value of positive reinforcement, the extreme, lasting damage of punishment, especially physical punishment which is in all cases nothing less than abuse; what it takes to build trust in a relationship; the mistaken idea of the need to control and/or dominate; the need to pay attention to small, non-verbal signs of either physical or mental distress; the need to take care of and be responsible for the well being of a creature who depends on you; the humbling knowledge of the deep intelligence and emotional life of animals; their ability to express love. I could go on, but it's 4o'clock in the morning. All of the above also pertains to relationships with humans, especially children.

[Coolidge]

I'm not autistic but her principle is true for all kids: I wish my mom made me go out and do things when I was young. I would never blame her for my failures; life was hard for her but looking back, habits I picked up as a kid have had long term negative effects in my life.

[Renee Giusti]

This talk has not only helped me understand my own ASD brain, but also with parenting my ASD son so that he can thrive rather than suffer and wilt like I did growing up. Thank you, Dr. Grandin.

[Paul Ortiz]

S Law--- I hope you will continue to search out the help you need. Perhaps search for research facilities that are focusing on this area and try to enroll in their studies. Or focus on reading their research! Some things are so specialized that only a few people understand it. So it may seem like the girl looking for that needle in the hay stack! You are that girl. Now, go find your needle!

[Lulu Island]

@S Law Sorry to hear your struggle. Never give up. Answers keep coming. I am new to all this but for motor control maybe you could try things like video games, dancing, playing musical instrument, etc... 🙂

[S Law]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's and telling me I'm the same as low functioning autistics but only on a different scale has been unhelpful for me, so I'm about to give up looking for information online. I've never had any speech delays and my biggest problem is motor coordination.

[John Doe]

As someone who grew up in Northern Ireland with Austism this talk was invaluable. Always loved this woman for the work I've heard she's done when I was a teenager. Thanks to all the people at the Chicago Humanites Festive for hosting her. We need more people like her being able to share their experiences, now more than ever.

[PiperStLennon]

adore this lady, for her brain, her thoughts, her work, and her empathy towards animals. Temple, you are a treasure to humankind!

[wmbtech]

I am very impressed by the amount of insight given about the autistic experience. I related to nearly all of the behavioral examples but had trouble understanding the categorized thinking. I was the lego kid, the art kid, the pattern kid, the music kid, the origami .. math .. book .. computer .. language .. science .. architecture .. photoshop .. web design .. programming .. woodworking .. accounting .. awkward .. standoffish .. quiet .. non-confrontational .. honest .. seclusive .. routine .. sensitive .. quirky .. ADHD/ASD kid. I didn't quite see where to belong amongst the groups, and I would feel left out but history already labelled our category. We've been called the jack-of-all trades but master-of-none. This brain cocktail contains a splash of obsessive curiosity, a shot of special interests, and a cup of focus deficit. If you relate, rejoice, our biggest problem is solved with medication and redirects that master-of-none energy towards a mastery of our choosing. Also, if you're like me, you're a mess, but you're good at what you do. I'm thankful for my spots.

[Danger Bear]

Autism is fascinating. My older brother has a mild form, he's an interesting dude. Marches to the beat of his own drum, but certainly has his skill sets.

[Barnaby Barry]

The problem is that people with mild symptoms can function and as a school psychologist for over 30 years seeing autistic children and their parents however with moderate and severe cases-it is night and day-I have seen so many mild cases even online and it is like everyone wants to be a victim!

[GrassPossum]

@Xenphobal Gaming Yes, relationships. I'm 3 marriages down and have realised at long last, I can't manage that one. I've given up hoping for the partner I want, and who can love me as well as I can love them. I struggle with an existential problem since all who have loved me, fall out of love eventually. While I cannot understand that. Love for me is simply not something which changes, even when the person shows a disappointing side. If love can die, then it was never real. If love isn't real, what else is there to live for? Eternal life isn't something I strive for, I feel it is actually built in. It is eternal life without love which horrifies me. Since the only thing worth living forever for, is love. However, I think I have found confirmation of love's reality in companion animals. Their love is real and expressed. I have never had any animal who loved me, cease loving me until death. A great relief. I will take lessons of life from anywhere I can find them.

[GrassPossum]

As one myself, thanks on his behalf. That you can see that so well is inspiring. After 60 years I have only got a few friends who would say that and it is so comforting when those close to us get it. To be appreciated for yourself and not expected to conform is such freedom and a relief for people who find themselves isolated from society almost all the time.

[Xenphobal Gaming]

@T.C. wish I said what I felt since I have autism maybe I could get into a relationship but no I can't and can't hold conversations damn 😭😒

[PJ]

Dr. Grandin moved me to tears on and off. My daughter, who is on the spectrum, is brilliant and has so much to offer the world, but I just never knew how to help her ... and neither did anyone else. They didn't even know what they were looking at! She pushes herself to be normal, and Temple makes me feel like she could see my daughter in all her brilliant beauty, as she really is. I just love you, Temple!

[Reinier Post]

Find others like her. There are plenty!

[Paul Ortiz]

Yes, Temple can see your daughter like that! But can you? And can you help facilitate and encourage her growth and self worth? Hopefully you can or do. Temple certainly exemplifies what good inputs can do to help develop the skills in these folks. Perhaps they need a bit more attention but we get so much more from them when it all works!

[Order of the Sleepless Knights]

I was lucky that I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was a child so my father let me be me and didn't harp on me for anything that I did differently or wrong. In fact, I was put in a group for the Gifted and Talented students called Young Scholars. It wasn't until after a suicide attempt that I was diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism. As soon as a psychologist slapped that title on me, I left him and never looked back thinking that it meant that I had something seriously wrong with me and I wasn't about to tolerate that. In the years since, I have done research on High-Functioning Autism and now embrace that I have it. As soon as someone has had an opportunity to get to know me, I will let them know that I have it as people only equate autism with a nonverbal autism.

[Jeannie Sperry]

I'm 61 and know little about autism but Temple makes me want to know more. I watched and listened to this video and I was gripped! I could listen to her talk all day. She is inspirational, relevant and downright wonderful!

[DavidS]

They made a movie about her life too, about 10 or 12 years ago. The young actress who played her did an excellent job, very believable. It kind of showed some of the difficulties she had being a woman in a man's world in the cattle industry also.

[Terry my Raejtytk]

Watch the movie made about her. It's fantastic. It's called Temple Grandin.

[Marian L]

@Luke Bird i agree...what a great way you said all that though...great comment.

[Esperanza Munoz]

Her back story is even more awesome almost unbelievable.

[Bobby Jones]

Dr. Grandin you are an inspiration--this was very insightful. I know my 6-year-old autistic daughter is very smart--this helped me understand what she's going through and how I can adjust my approach with her development---thank you so so much

[just me]

I was trained in 2nd, 3rd and 4th year college math and reading, all the while in the 4th grade classroom with the other kids. If there was a more cultural or social item being taught, I would join the regular group, but went to my personal station to do math, reading and science, by myself. This was so helpful, and my schooling continued this way, until I went University at 16. -- At home, I did ranch work, which helped with large motor skills and helped me get over sensory issues. My mother made no excuses for me, and would find 'out-side' the farm jobs, where I would have to deal with strangers and things I didn't know or like. --- The most funny thing about my life is: I have never been a part of the audience at a rock concert (can't take the crowded area and noise) but am part of a band that does rock concerts. -- I find my art, music and math all fit together, somehow, in my brain.

[Lady Bookworm]

Much respect for Temple Grandin's mom. Hats off and thank you.

[A. P.]

I read her book "Thinking in Pictures" near the end of my teaching career. I did a lot of things right with my autistic children but wish I had found it sooner. It should be required reading for all educators. Very insightful and helpful.

[What Colors the Steel Sky Blue?]

Stumbled upon this lecture by accident. I'm a huge fan of Temple Grandin. I can listen to her all day. She is so brilliant.

[dapsapsrp]

Wow, she is really brilliant. Such a broad thinker so aware of things. She is gifted and a gift to our society. I really respect and agree with how she embraces the importance of practical skills and how bad it has become that they're becoming more and more scarce as time goes on.

[Vivienne Spark]

Iv'e reared three children, with a husband on the scale, having a form of asd, and only the skill set of a disability worker, concentrate the positive, ignore the negative.

[John Smith]

The story of my life. I was born in 1969; I found out I am autistic over a year ago, and I was subject to every study and outlook on the matter as it was happening! In my book "My Prison Without Walls" it was always, "You're to blame. You have to be fixed. You bring your problems on yourself. Why can't you change? What's your problem!"

[mallory may]

Same here. I have CPTSD as a result.

[Maureen]

God bless you! I am sorry you had to go through that!

[Sara Haggard]

Hearing her talking about funding for FFA for learning the same hands on learning things I learned, just makes me want to fund it even more! As a fellow neurodivergent, it's horrifying for the fact of cutting back on hands on learning. I was diagnosed as ADD at 8 but now at 32 am seeing myself more am learning towards being on the spectrum. I connected with horses at that young age of seeing the behavior issues but couldn't translate it to people older to me. Temple, I can relate to you so much! Visual learning I've been teaching my boys as well being neurodiverce. I've learned so much more seeing her treatments, how she handles life/animals, and much more! I'm so glad she found her voice to help others and to help expand their lives! She's amazing and I'm so glad she shares her struggles! ❤️

[Dr Fill]

Can I just point out that to understand and draw a curve is advanced calculus- it's not that she's bad at math- it's that her math is visual

[Joyce Brewer]

@Katherine Windsor Absolute!

[Dale Eastern brat]

Faraday and Maxwell Faraday would invent things and have someone else do the formal math. During the Second World War they teamed ham radio hobbyists with PHDs in electrical engineering to co up tith the VT proximity fuse.

[Dr Fill]

@Matticusjk I understand. I can relate the numbers to the curve- not everyone understands the numbers or the curve, but where the first derivative is zero... others may call that the top of the hill... still the same thing

[Katherine Windsor]

I dont understand why they put all kinds with disables in high school in one class ... Iam glade that i wasnt put in that type of class room ...as my parents wouldnt allow it . I knew how loud these people were because i had to take the same buss with them . I would have had lots of sensory over loads and not learnd a thing possible droping out ... Because sensory over load really hurts the brain .

[Crystal Wright]

When I was in elementary school, Ms Grandin was featured on a CBC noon news program about notable people who weren't well known. She made such an impression on myself and my sister. Almost 40 years later, I am always joyful and fascinated to hear her speak again. She just makes sense!!!! This was a great topic.

[Kirsten Spencer]

Wow, story of my welder / fabricator husband. In the mid 1950's the elementary school he attended told his mother he was not educatable and the school did not want to " waste resources " on her son. Before he retired he was highly sought after by food processors and a skilled millwright. He found his calling and is a happy fellow.

[J M]

😊

[Natasha]

My diagnosis gave me the sense of belonging. What Temple is doing for all of us - is telling others that there are industries that our particular features could be valued and preferred over NTs' and she is telling us not to give up on ourselves. When she tells us that we learn by specific examples, it clicks with me, I agree with it, as it is the best way for me to learn.

[GrassPossum]

Yes. 60 years trying to figure myself out, so lonely and frustrating and self-critical. I self-diagnosed very recently and I wouldn't even waste my time getting any other diagnoses. Everything I learn about it is like coming home at last. The relief the realization gave me was profound. I knew it had been a benefit in many ways, but the social awkwardness was a never ending nightmare. Realising that certain skills and ways of thinking which define me were a result of the thing which I was missing, was a great moment of self-confidence. Instead of trying to find the way out, I can accept why I am in here and if I could, choose between being normal, and myself today, I would not change a thing.

[Barb Lupole]

I feel such a connection with others here like I've never felt. Thank you for your comment 😉

[Luke Bird]

I relate, I find myself asking my buddy "can you give me a specific example?" At least once every conversation 😂

[retrolady66]

I'm still impressed by her intelligence and story!! Saw the movie which was pretty mind blowing how doctors, parents and other people haven't a clue how this "syndrome" affects us.

[HereIgoAgain]

Love TG's comment on letting your work talk for you. A neighbor boy lacked social skills and had a hard finding a job after college. His hobby is electronics and robotics. He landed a job at a robotics firm by showing them his work. Now he makes a good living from his hobby.

[Blink th3Dog]

My parents insisted i needed college to make "good money". I was a butcher and far happier providing food and stocking boxes. 20 years later im back at grocery stores. Dont want money, and the money I spent on college easily could have bought me a super nice house and savings. Im starting over on my own at 41. Im happy in my cabin in the woods. Im tired f trying to fit in, and make others happy

[L Huff]

Temple is spot on about the murkiness of the autism spectrum and kids are not getting the services they need because of it, especially those that are higher functioning.

[Rachel Martin]

I was scrolling through the comments & read this at the exact time she was saying it.

[clapoutloud66 clapoutloud66]

She has that personality that you just can't turn away and you end up liking her, and you listen, you would come out much more educated from her experiences.

[True VudderHutz]

As an adult with autism. this hits the feels.

[Sally Forth]

This woman does have a beautiful mind. My kiddo was undiagnosed for years, Incorrect medication. Huge IQ. Huge vocabulary. And knows something about everything. I love my Aspie kid

[Laurie Berry]

Huh? I hope the insults were erased. I can’t find it. I guess that I am lucky.

[Rollin' Mark]

@Charles Fraunhofer Well, I'm truly sorry to hear that.

[Charles Fraunhofer]

@Joseph Dockemeyer not no, yes, it's the truth, she dresses like a typical American, my consciousness makes it so.

[Catherine Newport-Sneed]

autism still gets ignored in women. my nephew was noticed earlier than me. My teachers just thought I wasn't likeable and a rule breaker...lazy, unmotivated, rude...the list continues. People who actually know me would say I try hard, I am very caring and very kind, or they'll realize I've given up ONLY after giving something my all. I've not had a lot of friends and the friends I did have were ones who've just had to accept me the way I couldn't change. Now if I mention that I have traits of autism I get "Autistic Gurus" telling me I'm not "Bad" enough because I've grown to adulthood and been told for so many years that I'm just making it up. A lot of what this lady talks about going through growing up for her was me growing up.

[Sterling Ray]

@L. V. Well this explains how I managed to squeeze into the social system as a female. My son on the other hand had no fear of disappointing others so he resorted to selling his Adderall at school. Fortunately he pulled himself together so he wouldn't end up homeless.

[Jillian Guilford]

I'm 75 now. I've recently realized that I (as well as a daughter who is low functioning and grandkids from another daughter have been diagnosed with it) probably have it.

[Angelica Buenrostro]

♥️ Watched a documentary on her when my girls were babies. Helped prepare me when one of them was diagnosed years later. Grateful for her. Would also love to see neurodivergent women of color rise to this level of public awareness. Lived experience is critical at every intersection.

[Donna Csuti]

Wouldn't be surprised if Oprah was much like her

[Barbara Lee]

Love this precious lady for how she thinks & how helpful she is! God bless you Temple!!

[Damien Kitty]

During my free time I've done nothing but watch talks on autism for the past week and this is by far the best one yet. Love it.

[J Sarahi]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Literally watched about 30 different videos and articles that sometimes took me hours about autism and they all seemed to repeat the same thing over and over. None of them could answer the only two questions I was asking which are “Why is it so important to label children with ASD? “ and “ Why does it happen?” It took an intelligent women with ASD to answer the question. I’m beyond thankful my brother in law recommended this because I have two children who were both diagnosed and this gives me so much hope and insight that I really needed.

[Trey West]

It is important to be able to put a name to it. I am 58 and have always wondered why I was socially awkward and couldn't keep friends other than but a few. It is like having an undiagnosed disease that is destroying you and you have know idea as to how to handle it. Once it has been named, then you have an explanation and a way to go forward. I hope this makes sense as to why a diagnosis is so important at any age. I hated myself for most of my life and thought I was unworthy of others. Others may still see me as such but now I know why. The problem is within them and not me. I have felt the weight and burden of my existence lifted off my shoulders.

[Hieronymus_Botch]

I absolutely love Temple, she is one of the most inspirational and sensible people I have ever had the pleasure of watching on KZbin. It's not often you leave a video where a person speaks for an hour and you cannot disagree with a single point they make. Well done Temple, you're my hero.

[Slevin Channel]

People need to inform themselves about ‚Autism Speaks’ and it’s Horrors. WIIILD Misconceptions fly around and Hollywood doesnt help; so much so that ‚Hollywood Autism’ has become a Term to describe ‚Unexplained Superpowers posseses by a Character just cause of Autism’. There’s Essays out there and recommending such Essays after watching them is NOT Spam. It’s ok and even helpful to spread such Videos.

[Nancy Yonce]

I started talking to Temple a long time ago. She would call me late hours at night. She told me to pick her brain and I did. Really liked talking with her. She has come so far and done so well.

[A Rich]

She has been so far ahead of all of the rest of the medical and science community. Bless this human.

[Michelle Beckstrom]

She is a gem and her justified comments on social media's dark effects are even more relevant now. I definitely can identify with some of the traits she discussed - loud noises especially sudden ones & especially multiple voices at once that are booming and or high pitched, categorizing everything I perceive, floures. light senstivity.

[mark mcallan]

This lady is unbelievable 👌 my son is 5 and has mid level autism,what I just heard have gave me so much insight into my son's mind! In so scared for his future and I have to find any Avenue to help him! Thank U👍

[LoveFlatfootin1]

She is one great public speaker. I could listen to her all day. Her students are so lucky.

[Simon McGlary]

Amazing woman. Makes the ASD diagnosis easier to understand and identify with!

[Spicy Noodles]

I'm a neurotypical author co-writing with a number of neurodivergent authors with a set of neurodivergent characters, some of which are autistic. This video is so wonderful in getting the word out that autism is something to be valued in society, as well as educating the general public to better understand our peers. Thank you, Grandin.

[S A]

As a father of an autistic child, this woman gives me immense hope and makes me proud of my boy.

[coletta hussey]

I know she is autistic, but most of what she is talking about needs to be said about people on and off the spectrum. Great lady. Thank you for this video

[Malina Chainey]

I just absolutely adore her,.I just discovered who she was and how great she was very recently. I work at s school for special needs and with the quarentine our school principal has been having us watch different webinars and writing reports about it. Well her were assigned a few of her videos, and our entire school just fell in love with her. She is so smart, funny, interesting and she explains autism(including her own experience with having it) in a way that just about anyone could understand it.

[Patty Sherwood]

I started speaking at age 25, but was very disfluent and could not follow conversations. At age 39, the Lord connected something in my brain in an instant, I felt it. I suddenly thought some words, and they flowed out of my mouth effortlessly. I am still basically quiet. I like to go to church and smile and say hello. I have created a personality because I have none. But I go home after and collapse at home alone. I figured I was autistic.

[Patty Sherwood]

@Donna Gray I have an interesting update . I am attending a quiet church of really kind and loving people. They are helping me recover from complicated grief over the loss of my son. They always want me to tell them stories about being a Pentecostal because they want to understand it. I even taught a lesson for bible study class and they loved it. My human nature wants to crawl under my chair or sit in a corner but my spiritual nature wants to tell the whole world, and dramatically, and with humor. It’s been a battle but I’m sticking with it. It is so exciting, but also challenging! I’ll always be happier retreating into the world of books. But God has people who need my stories and positive encouragements, so “perfect love casts out fear.” Fear has to leave me when I see the need. And forgive me if you are not religious.

[Patty Sherwood]

@Elizabeth Rindfleisch it’s a little fattening(5 pounds) but I love it.

[Elizabeth Rindfleisch]

Wish we were neighbors as well. I really appreciate goat milk btw.

[KW]

I'm not autistic, don't personally know anyone autistic. But, I love Temple Grandin. She has a fasinating mind.

[Luke Bird]

She has touched and inspired so many struggling people on the spectrum, myself included. I can confidently say she's a personal hero to most of us ausies and aspies out there

[racebiketuner]

If you know more than 100 people, chances are you do.

[Lulu Island]

@Alpha Centauri Hi B. May I ask you what the Dr. suggested and if it worked in your situation ? Thanks in advance ☺️

[Alpha Centauri]

KW my ex had Aspergers, wasn’t diagnosed until he was 45....and after we’d been together off/on for 10 years. The first time someone suggested it to me, I totally dismissed it...despite having done a presentation on autism and using temple as an example of Aspergers 😲... my ex is a successful, kind physician and didn’t initially seem that awkward. I just really liked that he wasn’t arrogant like some other physicians I’d worked with. As relational problems emerged and got worse, I knew something was affecting the social/emotional connections. Was dismissed by counselor after counselor. He even went to a medical conference and they spoke about realms of ASD and Aspergers...and he said it felt like they were describing him. He finally was diagnosed by a neuropsychologist. I’m sure you’ve interacted with a few, if not many. I can now see many more than before. It’s like I have almost radar for it, with what I’ve learned and several in my family with it, or suspected.

[Cristian Palmer]

She just moves me on and on because I deeply relate with my journey and now recently diagnosed ADHD adult chapter of my life starting... plus she is bringing facts besides her example of life.

[Rhett Bickley]

It is interesting how even today Dr. Grandin is developing and appreciating a sense of humor. That says a lot about the flexibility of the human brain or her own perseverance. 👏👏👏

[Catbruhh]

my autism doesn't really place me in technical situation, but it allows me to be very creative and what-not. nonetheless, ms. Grandin's my favourite person and i enjoy her speeches 💛

[Foxiepaws ACAnderson]

Wow! I have never seen her before but, despite the dubious work in livestock (I have discovered in the course of this that she's made things so much better for animals that I have to take that back, wow talk about schoolgirl crushes, this woman is a superhero!)she is a treasure! I cannot get my head around algebra either and am pretty much a big Aspie mix of traits and she is listing all the stuff that I started learning in school and persevered with in my own time like sewing and suchlike which I really enjoy nowadays, I gotta go back and listen to this wonderful woman some more! Horses were my salvation and best friends too! I think I would fall into Aspergers because I had language and reading very early but really didn't like being around other kids and am still very insular, I have worked lots of places and have a strong feeling that, despite having social difficulties, the fact I was good looking (not in my mind but am repeatedly told this) I think this became easier because I found myself with really strange but cool friends and people made excuses for my speaking over them and such. It isn't fair but I think this is what held my diagnosis back so long.

[Delilah Hart]

She really knows her stuff, both about people and animals. Her discussion of psychomotor epilepsy in animals is particularly impressive.

[Ville Mononen]

She's a shining star. Such a potent person.

[Cynthia Davis]

She’s wonderful. So blessed to have her mom and teacher. She’s a great teacher herself😊

[background musik]

Grateful this lady for being an example of success in adulthood. My daughter is 5 and atypical. She teaches herself so much. Her current favorite thing is trying to "cook"... Which means cracking all the eggs in the fridge.... But doing so into a pot.

[Becky StJohn]

Just so happy to hear and see Miss Temple!! God bless her for her courage and care for all living beings, most of all being her care of how we help our children!!!

[Imelda Pear]

dr. Grandin

[Jonathan William Vos]

I originally heard about Temple Grandin in Robert Greene's book on Mastery. He wrote about her life and how she developed new rigs for slaughter houses. I was quite impressed with what I read but having seen her speak in this video, I am far more impressed. What an incredible person! I found myself repeating the phrase "I enjoy this woman". Having dealt with my own issues (not sure if I'm autistic but much of what she said was highly similar to what I experience/experienced) I can see plenty of parallels that saved me: charity work, a lot of social interaction (despite being incredibly uncomfortable), hands on "real work". She demonstrates incredible wisdom. Thank you!

[DonnaPeck]

Dr. Grandin, when you mentioned itchy fabrics it rang a bell for me. I relate completely to that. I learned from Martha Stewart that different types of cotton are from different strains of the plant. Some, like Egyptian cotton is a long fiber and thus it is smoother and softer to the touch.

[LoveFlatfootin1]

"Iconic" is the word. What a wonderful human being.

[Judy Taquino]

I am so proud of your accomplishments for you. You are amazing. I'm very practical and you resonate with me. Praise for your mom. You are fortunate to have had such a proactive mom.

[imajica xo]

This woman has my heart. She reminds me of my mother in law and my other half . My other half has ASD and our sons have suspected ASD too. I agree with all she says, she's a gift to this world, all she's saying. Wow. ❤️

[Eva Sartorius]

This woman has changed the world for the better in some many ways. I have worked with autistic for a long time and her work helped me understand things nothing else could.

[Deb Stover Villarreal]

I used to tell my grooming students in my state approved grooming school, "you have to think like a dog to groom a dog." My students who get that and have that gift are my shining stars today. They understand the canine body and how dog body works which makes grooming a pleasant experience instead of a stressful experience.

[The Feral Paladin]

Found my autism at 30. Learned more about myself since that diagnosis than I have in the last 15 years. Heavy masking led to some serious tragedy in my life. Professionally I am successful, interpersonally, the chances i was given for genuine connection, the mask i unknowingly developed destroyed those real connections for the sake of the mask.

[laurie milliron]

Thank you for your insights into the Autistic brain- a different kind of brain. I hope one day that because of your brilliant mind and other brilliant minds, we will be able to learn from, teach and allow this kind of thinking to bless the world more abundantly. Unlocking the door for these special minds is a challenge well worth our time as individuals and a society. I'm so impressed with your ability to acknowledge your mother in every speech I've seen you give. Your mother's intuitive feelings about you and her persistence as your first teacher is so inspiring. Teaching you to work and teaching you to go outside of your comfort zone had to be difficult for her. Can you imagine if she wasn't as brave as she was? She gave you the gift of bravery. Bravo Temple. Bravo to you and your mother!

[John Vallsater]

It's not like that, autism is a huge spectrum. Not everyone's autistic minds are that different from typical. If you met me you wouldn't say ohh!! Let's bring our total different minds together and embrace your different thought process and accept each other! If you would notice I had a different point of view let's say in my thought process, there would not be this huge gap of a total different mind, just slightly a different point of view that you yourself wouldn't think of, like more of a dreamlike thought or lucid. Something a typical person would think when they are tired or high on weed

[Joyce Hill]

I love listening to you talk, and I feel your energy and enthusiasm in pursuing most interesting science, fascinating to people like me or anybody. Thank you.

[Crystal Roy]

I could never understand why others perceived me as different and why I had such difficulty making friends and relating to others. In college, we watched Temple Grandin (the movie) and I felt for once, someone understood what it was like to be me. Through my own research, including a deep dive into my genetics, I uncovered that I was likely Autistic too. The education system, at least in the '90s and '00s refused to sway with my needs or interests, which led to my ultimate early departure from the imprisonment we call the public school system. I'm currently in college again and have found a great interest in the sciences and the complexity of my often misunderstood autistic brain. Temple Grandin inspired me to carve my own unique path through life because a unique brain does not follow the path that every other student has carved out before them.

[Artistic WhistleBlower]

This woman understands the artistic mind! I love her. What a gorgeous soul, beautiful mind.😻

[Taileen Alvarez]

You gotta admit there's a strange correlation and pretty interesting

[Taileen Alvarez]

Or is it??

[guy woodhouse]

@Gigi M lol right?

[Gigi M]

Artistic WhistleBlower Autistic and artistic is not the same thing. 😝

[Wendy Petersen]

My pet peeve has ALWAYS been that in the USA when there is a budget crunch in the schools - the FIRST things to go are art and music.... it's criminal

[Slevin Channel]

@ThaTurdBurglar ??

[ThaTurdBurglar]

Art and music reduction is not a bug, it's a feature 👹

[Slevin Channel]

People need to inform themselves about ‚Autism Speaks’ and it’s Horrors. WIIILD Misconceptions fly around and Hollywood doesnt help; so much so that ‚Hollywood Autism’ has become a Term to describe ‚Unexplained Superpowers posseses by a Character just cause of Autism’. There’s Essays out there and recommending such Essays after watching them is NOT Spam. It’s ok and even helpful to spread such Videos.

[andy van]

wow, what an ambassador to the cause if there ever was one!!, brilliant speech, and nice to know that Claire Danes depiction of her was TOTALLY real and factual :-) (I have Autism, and great to know how one of us thinks, Temple, you MUST get this to every school you can, help the next generations enormously!!).

[Ashley Hudson]

I agree with everything she's saying about how schools are today. They really seem to be messing things up.

[Laura McKnight]

Most teachers don't think that. Unfortunately, the government controlling the school lacks teachers and tend not to listen to them. Additionally, people aren't willing to pay the taxes get it

[Raminakai]

Seriously- it’s almost like they are trying to make the community fall apart? Taking away gym class, cooking class, sewing class, office work class, wood shop, financial budgeting class etc. And then both parents working long hours- if they have both parents.. Who is available to guide and show the next generation the skills of the past? The internet.

[Chase Thecat]

Common Core

[elsa berhe]

We the people are not working together to protect every child for any challenge they go through. We parents need to unite, take time to read and understand the best way our kids learn; then provide our request or communication results to the school system. Thanks

[Ashton Siemens]

I have autism and schools think everyone is a one size fit all sense I have autism they just cast me to the side

[Sapphire Supernova]

It's crazy to think that ASD was so defined by that speech delay, since I have what used to be Asperger's and I learned how to talk and read *earlier* than most kids. I was delayed in walking and potty training but my mom always said she couldn't get me to shut up. 😂

[Alice Dee]

At first her voice bothered me as I was in and out of consciousness listening then the more she spoke the more she made so much sense! What an incredible woman! She knows so much about so many things it blew my mind!

[Monolith _G]

Watch the movie about her. It is incredible

[Sophie Frankis]

I was diagnosed when I was 4 when I didn't speak. The reality that people thought differently from me was mind blowing.

[Woodchipper Worshipper]

@That Guyevery good thing has nuances nothing’s perfect

[That Guy]

@Taileen Alvarez sure, but this comment section is filled with the good side of autism stories, the high functioning, and does not show the other side. Severely autistic people may never learn to talk and often cause physical harm to themselves or others leading to physical disfigurement or even death. Its a gift for some but can also be a curse.

[Taileen Alvarez]

Labels are so ignorant. I'm sure you are a sensitive person who understands and sees the world more accurately than others. Your probably naturally intuitive and feel things harder than others. Beautiful mind. I hope you know that what u have is Not a condition its a gift. Not one thats easy to live with either especially when others seem to be on a different frequency

[Christal Lands]

Can u explain a little more? Think differently?

[GrassPossum]

Thankyou. This is so satisfying. Having struggled for all of sixty years to figure out what was wrong with me, I realised only 2 years ago I am a classic Aspergers case. Only to discover this means Autism spectrum as I learned more. It has taken a weight off my mind, and removed the biggest obsession of my life, trying to fit in an be like others. Now I relax, knowing what's going on and why and understanding there is no answer. Since I already knew the benefits I had derived from it, even if a lot of heartache and loneliness were the price, I can just take the4 good now and be myself with those people who have stuck with me over the years. Still learning to understand, and while everything said here is familiar and makes so much sense to me, hearing it explained in context is invaluable. I'm actually closest to Ms Gardin's version myself. I am verbal thinking but also have a very good ability to visualize. As a creator in engineering and fabrication, I use an internal workshop which is entirely visual. I build projects often quite complex and "test" them mentally, with all normal physics principles function like the real world, the only magic is how I can turn it around at all angles and tools needed for tasks just appear. But I invent tools needed to complete a project in the same place and can then go and make them in reality. It amazes those I work with that can just come out with it, and they don't have a clue what I'm talking about when I explain I did it all in my head. Two features I find to be likely universal among those on the Autistic scale and which are very defining of my character. I cannot do or tolerate small talk. It seems such a waste of time. making noises at each other for no other reason than social. I like social, but only with purpose. I am very social when doing things together which have purpose, but will fall asleep fast in company which is doing empty social conversation. Or more likely, hijack the conversation and turn it productive, in my view. Which doesn't tend to make me very popular in most company, I do know. It is connected to an infamous impatience with stupid people. Low intelligence does not bother me, I do not judge people based on IQ, but what they do with it. An idiot who doesn't try to pretend to be smart, but who simply behave naturally, can easily be my best friend. I judge every sentience by their own standards and thus animals and I get along great. I respect them no differently to any human. All sentient beings are people to me. Rabbits which have been my companion animals for nearly twenty years amaze me with their intelligence and curiosity, and loyalty. I never cage anything, and my bunnies run free at my workplace, yet are completely reliable in coming in when I want them to and people are actually astonished at how they interact with me. They just don't understand what I mean when I point out that it isn't me, it is them, and I have just allowed them to be themselves and the cooperation is their intelligence at work. Being unrestricted in their lives, the best comes out. All animals are the same, and humans fail terribly in their attempts to measure animals self-awareness and intelligence. Everything is at least several times more intelligent than humans assume in my experience. People just don't know how to see the world through the eyes of individual animals, and relate that to their behavior. Instead they use crude methodology which is either human oriented or human oriented with some adjustment for Dogs. Without they even get it right with dogs. For example, few animals seem to recognise themselves in a mirror. They decide this by watching wild animals interacting with a mirror in the jungle, and assume certain reactions show failure to recognise themselves and others that they do. This is so presumptive and based on human experience alone. It fails to realise that reflections are not a mystery to animals, Most have seen their reflections in water, many times. The mirror is only interesting because it isn't water. They're not going to stop and look at themselves, it isn't something creatures without vanity care to do. They may not understand the physics but they do understand reflections happen. My gorgeous bunny girl Ramzy, was quite a princess about her appearance even for a rabbit and she quickly realised the big mirror in our bedroom was perfect to use for perfecting her grooming. I'd find her adjusting her grooming using the mirror sometimes. The other thing is honesty. I am utterly useless telling lies, and am also extremely intolerant of lies. It is the irresponsibility of messing up reality with time wasting nonsense which infuriates me even beyond the disrespect it implies usually. It always reflects insecurity or fears, but I don't accept these are any excuse to lie. I am not afraid of anyone, or anything almost. Except humiliation and to be seen as a coward. Even in my own eyes. I do resort to creative truth telling when dealing with the law or a dangerous situation, so while telling the truth, I can manipulate the hearer into hearing the opposite if needed and can do it with consummate skill.. But direct lies would bring me down every time. I hate doing it though, because it feels like I am taking advantage of others' mental weakness. The tendency to see and hear what they want. My brother is a psychopath and infamous con man. I am well aware that this is exactly what he is always doing. Manipulating people by telling them what they want to hear, is his stock in trade. He imitates me, his big brother, when he wants to seem sincere, and that is mortifying to me. It makes me very sensitive about being doubted and also constantly checking myself when I feel people are becoming too enamored with my trustworthiness and sincerity. I begin to doubt it myself, because I see them reacting to me the way his victims do to him. I think the lack of small talk and need for honesty might be a common thing, if I have grasped anything about how the spectrum works.

[codemiesterbeats]

Brilliant. Skilled work is what makes the world go round... They need art and music and mechanical/carpentry/welding etc... classes in all schools. NOT because they will only be able to be a carpenter their whole life but because it will teach them problem solving skills that they might have a hard time learning in other ways. I did not have an automotive program in my highschool BUT they did allow me to take a few classes at the community college through the high school.

[RennieAufdemstein]

There should be more of that kind of broad thinking and flexibility - if a person has an aptitude, let them learn, let them try.

[Angela Blair]

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I was given more understandable terms to deal with my son that has been diagnosed with Autism . I now better understand him a can come up with my own ideas to solve at least some of his problems! Thank you Ms. Grandin!

[Laurie Berry]

I love this lady. Nice shirt. I hope you enjoyed Australia. I was going to speech therapy at five. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was nineteen. I like this woman. It’s easy to understand her. She’s very articulate and enthusiastic. I want to read her book. I am tired of reading books about people like myself.

[KerryLynn4444]

You’re someone I’ve always looked up to, Temple. I admire your grit, perseverance and work ethic. I share the same kind of thinking and you inspire me to live up to my potential.

[Kevin]

How I would describe my ASD is that I truly cannot generalize almost at all, especially not the way most people do. When I talk to others about how they learn, their mental associations between different subjects is so wide and almost spontaneous, and for me when I think of a concept, I am truly just thinking about that concept and what I have learned about it. If I don't know something it sounds foreign to just be able to assume anything about it and it means I struggle so hard with new situations because one variable changes and it throws me off so much. It leads to really logical thinking but at the cost of so much energy needed just to live daily life.

[Art Girl]

Love Temple !! I've read most of her books. I have an Autistic child (now an adult) and we really went through a lot to help her - Temple really says it like it is - she's wonderful.

[Precious 566]

She's so brilliant, and I dig her style.

[LilPinkCoupe]

I got to attend this particular conference of hers last year. :) She's amazing.

[Colleen Post]

I love how clearly she expresses ideas. She is brilliant and is contributing so much!

[NEON]

What an amazing person. Always felt a bit different from other high schoolers growing up. I struggled to connect with people, and now I feel like I can start to change my life around.

[OTL Cellartapes]

what a likable lady - she projects just the right warm kind of sternness, no nonsense, you can tell she says only what she knows to be worth saying