Written by Katelyn Malloy, gardencity@antonnews.com Saturday, 05 October 2013 00:00
With autism being such a hot button topic on Long Island, it was no surprise to see more than 1200 audience members fill Adelphi Universitys Center Ballroom to hear Dr. Temple Grandins lecture, The World Needs All Kinds of Minds, on Wednesday, Sept. 24. The demand to see her was so great that her appearance was streamed live to the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall and Manhattan Center.
A respected and accomplished expert on the topic of autism, Dr. Grandins personal perspective has helped her make a significant impact on the way this disorder is viewed today. By the time Grandin was four, she had been diagnosed with autism and pressured to be institutionalized, which was the standard approach to treatment for autism and Aspergers in the early 1950s.
By 1990, Temple Grandin had earned a bachelors degree in psychology from Franklin Pierce college, a masters degree in animal science from Arizona State University and a doctoral degree in animal science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Now a professor of Animal Science at Colorado University for more than two decades, Dr. Grandin continues to use her photo realistic mind and memory to contribute to both the scientific and autistic world, and still speaks internationally as an advocate for the treatment, education, and support of autistic children and adults.
With a slide show called The Autistic Brain, Grandin explained how the autistic mind differs from others, the autism spectrum, and why those minds are necessary for our world today. Her approaches to handling these disorders include teaching hands-on activities, specialized skills, and resourceful thinking in, and out of the classroom especially where children on the spectrum are concerned. Early intervention must happen to find a childs favorite interest as well as any special abilities and strengths. Its a philosophy she covers extensively in her book Emergence: Labeled Autistic.
I have read enough to know that there are still many parents, and yes, professionals too, who believe that once autistic, always autistic. This dictum has meant sad and sorry lives for many children diagnosed, as I was in early life, as autistic, she writes. To these people, it is incomprehensible that the characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled. However, I feel strongly that I am living proof that they can.
Although considered strange in her middle and high school years, Temple Grandin found a mentor through her education, who recognized her deep interests and expertise with a variety of sciences. Grandin also believes, from experience, that a strong background in manners is important, and can teach and instill certain social skills autistic people lack.
We have to stretch these kids, says Professor Grandin. Im a big believer in tuning into the kids interests. Get them involved in something they have shown interest in.
Building on such strengths can be the key to success. They have allowed Granding to see things most people cant see, allowing her to become a livestock-handling equipment designer, one of very few in the world.
Grandin argues that the world needs unique minds such as those with autism. Careers that combine engineering and art such as welding and computer programing.
Read more here:
Bridging The Spectrum