Temple Grandin: Understanding autism

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: Correspondent Candids

In the world of autism and autism research, there is no one of greater stature than Temple Grandin. As Lesley Stahl says in this week's Overtime Correspondent Candid, "She's one of those rare people with autism who can explain autism. She's a sort of interpreter of autism for the rest of us."

For parents of autistic children, for scientists who study autism, for teachers and caregivers who work with autistic children and adults, Grandin's insights have been groundbreaking and immeasurably helpful.

As she told Lesley: "What I've tried to do is combine both my personal experiences with scientific research. I like to cross the divide between the personal world and the scientific world."

In the scientific world, Grandin's accomplishments are impressive. She has a Master's Degree and a PhD in animal science and is a leading expert in livestock handling, animal welfare, and animal behavior.

In 2010, Time Magazine named Grandin one of "the world's most influential people," not only because of her scientific work, but also because of her contributions to understanding autism. Grandin has a form of autism called Asperger's, which was first picked up when she was very young. She was very late to speak, threw temper tantrums, and was described by one doctor as "an odd little girl."

Grandin tells Lesley that the kind of intervention she was given as a child is what she recommends for other children with autism. Even though some doctors told her mother that the situation was hopeless, her parents never up. They gave her aggressive early intervention, and integrated her into family life, which meant good table manners. "I was expected to sit at the table, learn how to eat properly," Grandin told Lesley.

On Overtime, Lesley tells producer Reid Collins Jr. that she loved interviewing Temple Grandin. Lesley says that her favorite part of her interview was when she asked Grandin whether she'd want to be cured of autism. The answer is amazing, as Grandin explains how from cave-dwelling times to these digital days, the world has always needed people just like her.

To see Lesley's piece on 60 Minutes "Apps for Autism" click here. In it, Lesley reports on iPad and other tablet computer apps that are helping nonverbal people with autism communicate and learn.

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by babblerem October 27, 2011 10:03 AM EDT: I can understand Dr. Grandin's parents refusal to give up hope. When my son, Howard, was a child he was diagnosed as 'profoundly autistic' and I was told by medical 'experts' that he was a 'write-off', to 'place him in an institution and forget him'.

My husband had left unexpectedly before Howard was born. I had no idea of his whereabouts. I didn't tell anyone that I was pregnant as I was afraid I'd lose my job.

Howard also is asthmatic and has insulin diabetes. As a child he was hyperactive. I had to nail bars over the bedroom window because he'd climb on the sill and push against the glass. Once he butted me and chipped my two front teeth when I picked him up to save him from danger. Another time he hit me in the eye with a Corgi bus to wake me and I had to go to work with a black eye and a bruised nose. He was refused education as he could not speak until he was 9 or 10.

I always worked, there was no choice. Social security money would have been insufficient to keep Howard. He always had a large appetite and his extra large-sized clothes were expensive. I managed to save enough to buy a very old house with no bathroom and an outside toilet. It took ages to clean up and get rid of the mice and cockroaches. Over the years I saved for improvements.

Many consider Howard as being a "bit odd" but he is popular and has a sense of humour. He is great company and is kind and affectionate. A few years ago we both signed on for computer courses to try to gain an education which we both lost in our youth. Howard became so proficient that the tutors nicknamed him "cyber-junkie". We were both thrilled to gain our computer science qualifications and went on to complete our studies in local universities. Howard graduated from University - computer science. Our lives were transformed. We won despite stigma and are very happy.; Reply to this comment


by RedheadMomof3 October 25, 2011 1:25 PM EDT: I loved how she said she would not want a cure. Understandable, she doesn't get the parents perspective and the devastation of not having the money nor finding the necessary services in a rushed timeline. I would like to prevent the increasing numbers that I feel we as a society are upping through the environment be it vaccines, viruses, antibiotics, pesticides, antifungals, drugs, toxic food additives into little bodies. Obviously, it is something the affects them when they are tiny and their bodies are not able to handle it. That being said, I also admire the logcial way that those on the ASDs think. Also, the Honesty that is becoming so rare is usually found in the ASD group (though with no filter). The honesty and logic (engineering) mind makes them some wonderful, loving and contributing members of society. She also brings up a GREAT POINT. MAKE OT a Medically Necessary Treatment to help the more Severe get more In Tune. It's essential really to deal with all their Sensory Issues and should not be Downplayed because it's expensive.; Reply to this comment


by JellyBelly03 October 25, 2011 11:57 AM EDT: I was always under the understanding that Asperger's was Autism, WITHOUT the language delay.... I was told that from my child's neurodevelopmental specialist, and I have read it in countless articles. Temple Grandin was late to speak, therefore she wouldn't fit into the Asperger's category, correct? Or are my son's doctor and the articles incorrect?; Reply to this comment


by TeamAnthony October 24, 2011 7:24 PM EDT: Loved this interview! Thank you! Grandin said it the best way, "I like the way I think!"; Reply to this comment


by charbfc October 24, 2011 11:54 AM EDT: Thank you, 60 Minutes and Lesley Stahl, for your ongoing interest in autism in all its complexities. Maybe it's time to revisit Facilitated Communication. Have you had the opportunity to see the new movie, "Wretches and Jabberers," featuring Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette? They would be great spokespersons for those who are more impacted by their autism, with limited or no spoken language.; Reply to this comment


by RitchVoice October 24, 2011 5:46 AM EDT: The scientists are asking the wrong question! The question is, "What is the genius here?"

Temple's brain pattern is the beginning of an undiscovered, different, rich expression in human development.

Autism, dyslexia and other differences are healthy, DIFFERENT expressions of human development.; Reply to this comment


by davetcs October 23, 2011 9:26 PM EDT: I have a lot of respect for Temple and she has added a lot to our understanding of autism. There is so much more to intervention now than what her parents had access to, though, and her matter-of-fact style can be misleading to a generation of parents trying to figure out what is best for their affected children. Trying to teach kids manners, like sitting at the table, when they are struggling to be calm, regulated, and are barely able to engage in simple back-and-forth exchanges might be missing the point. So many parents struggle with what the rest of the word thinks about their children's behavior. As parents and as clinicians (I am both), we will do well to help individuals to find meaning and pleasure through playful, engaged, interaction. We can both respect people for who they are and help them to be functional members of their communities.

I would also agree with the comments above about the range of issues that occur in the autistic spectrum. There are so many challenges and I would not want to value some over others, but the challenge of raising the most severe individuals is something we have not even begun to appreciate.

Dave Nelson
The Community School
www.thecommunityschool.net; Reply to this comment

by feholder October 23, 2011 12:17 AM EDT

The salient thing to remember is that Ms. Grandin has at best VERY minimal symptoms of this disorder and simply can't be held up as a typical "autistic" - what I wouldn't give if only my son had this level of autitism!

My primary concern is that by implying she is a "successful / typical autistic" it leads to a false hope for parents of younger autistics that their child may be able to function like Ms. Grandin - in the vast majority of most unfortunate cases it simply (and sadly) isn't the case. My son is 19 years old and doesn't approach this level of function despite immeasurable hours of treatment and money and love in an attempt to assist him into a life where he could communicate and function as an individual - much like (with very few exceptions) most of the children and young adults we have encountered with this dread disorder.

In my humble opinion we need to portray autism as what it is and stop simplifying it into something it's not. It's not a "Rain-Man" or, respectfully, "Temple Grandin" sized issue that becomes minimized with therapy. It's shattering. And hearbreaking. And labor intensive beyond description while approaching epidemic proportions with common-cold sized funding.

What will become of my son and thousands like him when we're too old to care for them? Why is there not a nationwide effort to combat this disorder much like the polio or influenza epidemic? When will a concentrated effort bear fruit to reduce the growing trends? I'd much prefer time spent on these questions.

Reply to this comment


by juliblickfeldt October 25, 2011 5:56 PM EDT: I also have a 19-year-old son with autism, and I absolutely agree with your comment. I wish my son were able to function like Ms. Grandin as well. Besides having autism, my son is also mentally retarded as many autistic people are. Everything that can be done to discover a way to stop autism's epidemic or pandemic growth should be done. You raise an important question--what will become of our children in adulthood when we are too old to care for them? I read a statistic recently that only 15% of adults with autism have full-time employment. The other 85% obviously have less than that or nothing at all. These 85% need housing, food, shelter, care, and love. It is an overwhelming situation to consider, and this fact needs to be brought to the attention of society and governments.


by gammicca October 22, 2011 4:58 PM EDT: Thank you for featuring this on your website. We've been lucky enough to have met Dr. Grandin and have spent time with her casually. As parents of a child with autism, we learned the most from reading her books to see how our son may see the world he is experiencing.

Dr. Grandin gives of herself also to assist others so purely and doesn't even realize the impact she has for awareness. She should be the one representing the community on the IACC as well as other positions to assist federal officials in knowing what is best in meeting the needs of the autism community.

Thank you Dr. Grandin for making a difference for our son and so many others living with autism.

Thank you 60 Minutes for sharing Dr. Grandin with others.

Respectfully,
Carolyn Gammicchia; Reply to this comment


by Chandradutst October 21, 2011 10:34 PM EDT: Love Temple. Love the way she thinks. I think as humans, we must learn to accept people as they are. Just because someone doesn't follow the exact social cues that we do (manners and such) doesn't mean that they are less than, just different. Only different.

I like the interviewer when she said, I loved her but I didn't really know why but I can tell she was indifferent to me (paraphrased).

That is key--love them, accept them. You don't need to get 'it' back from 'them'. It is enough to notice an interesting moment when you come across it, sometimes.; Reply to this comment

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