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July 15, 2012 3:40 PM

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Temple Grandin: Understanding autism

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: Correspondent Candids

In the world of autism, few voices are more important than Temple Grandin's.

"She's one of those rare people with autism who can explain autism," says Lesley Stahl, who interviewed Grandin while reporting her recent 60 Minutes story "Apps for Autism." "She's a sort of interpreter of autism for the rest of us."

Grandin has a form of autism called Asperger's, which became apparent when she was a young child possessed by temper tantrums. Doctors told her mother that the situation was hopeless, but Grandin's parents never gave up. In this 60 Minutes Overtime interview, she tells Lesley that early and aggressive childhood intervention made all the difference for her. Her parents were committed to integrating her into family life, which meant learning things like table manners. "I was expected to sit at the table, learn how to eat properly," she tells Lesley.

Grandin went on to earn a PhD in animal science and become a leading expert in livestock handling, animal welfare, and animal behavior. In 2010, Time Magazine named her one of the world's most influential people, not only because of her scientific work, but also because of her contributions to the understanding of autism.

"What I've tried to do is combine both my personal experiences with scientific research," Grandin says. "I like to cross the divide between the personal world and the scientific world."

Lesley's favorite moment talking with Temple Grandin? At one point, she asks Grandin how she would feel about a cure for autism. Grandin's answer is simply amazing...

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by reberhar July 23, 2012 1:07 AM EDT

I marvel at the support so many of you share with your spectrum disorders. What a difference it has made for so many of you. I am so glad for you.

I am spectrum. I have so very many of the qualities and limitations of spectrum that you all display. I enjoy very much the visual modeling and memory that I have. I enjoy the ability of noticing detail. Etc...

My sister has said, "Life could have been so different for you [with support and love and understanding]"

However I was not encouraged or supported, but bullied and teased mercilessly. I carry high anxiety like many in the spectrum do. I so envy the ability of neuro typicals to develop and understand profound relationships, the ability to read eyes and be able to respond appropriately in social situations. I would have loved to have been a better father to my small, now grown, children. I would love to be a better father now and a more loving and understanding husband. I do and have done my best, but it is like trying to see and understand mountains when you are profoundly nearsighted and without any hope of glasses.

Against all that has been said by others, if I could somehow be normal tomorrow, I would do it in an instant. I would give up the savant abilities and logical insights and truth telling and all that goes with being on the spectrum to be able to love well those that love me.

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by Rosie1955 November 25, 2012 6:03 PM EST: If you already have not done so I suggest that you share this letter with your loved ones. I think this letter shows what love is. People who bully don't know how to love.

by jswb63 July 22, 2012 2:46 AM EDT

I have High Functioning Autism (probably Aspergers but maybe not as both the forensic neuropsychologist who diagnosed me and I agreed that what type of HFA was less important than the diagnosis of HFA). I was diagnosed last year at the young age of 48 after I requested to be diagnosed after I read a novel by Michael Palmer (The Second Opinion) with a character who had AS and with whom I had many traits in common. My mother and all the doctors I ever saw thought I was a bit quirky and a bit hyper but otherwise was normal, although my mother compared me to Sheldon from Big Bang Theory for the last couple years (and if that doesn't say Asperger's, nothing does). My Girlfriend at the time, supported me in the request for testing. My family doctor thought I was insane, but made the referral, and the psychologist who tested me, thought there was no chance during the first meeting. With testing and me being fully honest he strongly agreed that I did have HFA.

I always knew I wasn't 'normal' but had no idea how to describe how I was different. I hate the word normal, always have. Since my teens I have said normal means you are too boring to be unique. My whole life I tried to make myself act more like the way others people did. I used to hate being touched. I forced myself to accept it and am fine being touched most of the time now. I have always had problems with feelings and relationships and still do to some extent to this day. I have always felt like I was younger than I am and still feel like I have more in common with people half my age. I always will prefer to be alone rather than a group but have learned to tolerate group situations and blend in when in them. My only speech issue is that I am blatantly honest and have had some issues saying inappropriate things at the worst times. One comment to an owner of a company cost me a job, despite that it was the truth. I still think that is a societal issue with people not being able to accept the truth but I am trying to work on it anyway. I had huge problems with english literature in school, even though I have always read anything and everything I could get my hands on. I have learned with age how to process literature and understand the feeling and the meanings of it more. I am still working on it but I am definitely much improved. I have never been able to write script and still can't. My printing makes a doctors look neat and tidy and I can't write fast enough to keep up to my trains of thought. I am always thinking of 3 to 4 things at a time and that has led to a huge problem writing down a single cohesive topic. I have gotten a lot better with age focusing on 1 item when writing but it is still a work in progress. Computers and word processors have helped a ton with that. In the past I would get extremely frustrated with myself when ever I was having difficulty getting my thoughts to paper. I would berate myself in my own mind mercilessly. I understand the frustration that someone would have with no means of communication.

Despite all the issues I've had growing up and am still dealing with, I would never ever accept a 'cure', just as Ms. Grandin would not.I would not think the same way or about the same things I do. I have had many areas and times of my life that were hard to deal with, but I would not want to change those. I actually like who I am and how I have ended up. I think I did a very good job diagnosing and treating myself growing up and I wouldn't want to be normal. I am thankful to my parents for just allowing me to be me and give me the support I needed to be myself even though I didn't really let them in to help with areas I had problems with.

The things I think parents should be taking out of this episode is that finding a way to communicate is the real key, and there are so many more tools now than were available 10 years ago. Don't use a label as an excuse. I may have been able to speak freely, but my parents had no idea the issues I was having as I chose not to communicate. They did not have a diagnosis to know something could have been done differently. Most parents now do have the diagnosis and in my mind that leaves no room for an excuse not to try. There are many forms of autism and many traits that individuals may or may not have, but they all will have ideas flowing around their brain that you really want to know. And once a method of communication is found I am quite sure that no person with autism, of any of the three spectra, would be unable to live at a normal level. They may need to live with another person for some support but that is actually normal, most people in society live with other people for most of their lives, first in a family, then often with friends before developing their own family.

Steven

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by pinkcamo July 30, 2012 1:18 PM EDT: wow . i cant tell you what it means to me as a mother to hear you say i did it right ! many thanks to you for the thoughts , as for your post , i learned from that too ! keep doing what works for you , thats what i keep trying to stress . there is no handbook for any one particular person . we are all individuals , and just because we may be different , doesnt mean all of our differences are the same . nor should they be handled in the same manner . patience and kindness will get everyone alot further if they would just take the time to notice .

by pinkcamo July 18, 2012 1:48 PM EDT

i actually missed the segment on tv , but wish to comment anyway . my child was originally diagnosed with aspbergers at the ripe old age of 2 . after many years of various grueling therapies , and specialized schooling the doctors "downgraded" him to pdd-nos . although he is still considered to be within the autistic spectrum , he is a perfectly healthy and spirited 10 year-old .
what most people dont understand is my child is not "defective" or "different" , he is only wired differently than most other children . he is perfectly capable of doing any and all physical and mental tasks any child his age does . it would be a disservice to my child to expect less or want him to achieve less than his siblings and peers .
there is a group of parents out there with special children that are unwilling to acknowledge or admit to the fact that their child may be different from "the norm",(whatever they consider that to be .) these parents are usually the ones too busy keeping up with the jones's next door , working multiple jobs to pay for the over-expensive suv , and ignoring the fact that they have a child that needs them . i was able to raise all of my children on my own for years , and he thrived without all the extras , love and understanding is all they really need .
the children in the lower end of the autistic spectrum can and will lead self sufficient lives if they are taught that they can do everything . love , learn , live .
my son made the honor roll in school this year , just as his sisters did . and he was fussed over just as they were , no more , and no less . that philosophy has worked for all of us , i hope it will be of service to someone else .

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by jswb63 July 22, 2012 1:33 AM EDT: I would like to commend you for your attitude and say that you are probably the reason your son developed so well and not the therapies. pdd-nos is not a downgrade so much as it was the proper diagnosis to start with based on what you've said although that is a speculative comment from my end. All 3 spectra of Autism are all still Autism and every person with Autism is different in their own way. I think that what parents should take from the CBS program is that no matter what level of Autism your son or daughter or another individual may have, the only issue is finding a way to communicate, whether it be via computer, tablet or picture books, so that you can see what may a beautiful mind capable of many things. If you do not you may pass by a life that may be extremely special in so many ways you've never imagined. The worst thing you could ever do is use the label of Autism as an excuse to not allow the child to be the person they are and to flourish to their potential. And I can say that you have done so many right things with your son in my honest opinion. I am posting a general comment as well about my story with Autism.


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?

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by rainbowgoddess August 27, 2012 11:23 PM EDT: Temple wouldn't have been diagnosed with Asperger's even if the diagnosis had existed when she was a child. She had a speech delay, and most Aspies are hyperlexic and talk a lot.


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

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