Dr. Temple Grandin: Revolutionizing Animal Welfare and Autism Advocacy

Dr. Temple Grandin is a renowned professor, inventor, best-selling author, and trailblazer in the livestock industry. Working at Colorado State University as a professor of Animal Science, her groundbreaking ideas have transformed how animals are presently treated and has made the industry more humane.

In addition to her work with animals, Dr. Grandin advocates for autism rights and neurodiversity.

This past November, I interviewed Dr. Grandin before her presentation at Sycamore High School in Sycamore, Illinois. She shared stories about her journey and how her unique thinking led to remarkable achievements.

A Connection with Animals

Dr. Grandin has written more than 60 scientific papers about animal behavior and is known for her incredible connection with them. She has an ability to think visually.

“I remember things as if they are pictures on a phone,” Dr. Grandin said.

This ability allows her to understand how animals experience the world, a perspective she explains in her book Visual Thinking. In this book, Dr. Grandin explores brain research, mind diversity, and its impact on problem-solving. These findings led her to create inventions that made significant contributions to the humane treatment of livestock. Many of her creations soothe livestock that struggle with anxiety or other issues.

These findings led her to create the “hug box” or “squeeze machine,” a design that provides deep pressure to help calm individuals with autism, inspired by the cattle squeeze chutes that hold livestock in place.

“Visual thinking helped me with my work with animals because at my very first job I looked into the chutes to see what the cattle saw when they go to be vaccinated and I couldn’t understand why other people weren't trying to see what the cattle were,” Dr. Grandin said. “What I didn’t know at the time is that other people tend to think in words [and animals do not].”

Advocating for Autism

Dr. Grandin’s work goes beyond animals. As an author, professor, and advocate, her impact on autism awareness has been profound.

Growing up with autism, Dr. Grandin faced social and communication challenges.

“When I got to high school, I was horribly bullied. Please don’t bully kids with autism,” Dr. Grandin said. “Kids with autism often get fixated on their favorite subjects. We need to take kids with autism and develop their skills and interests.”

Drawing from her own experiences, Dr. Grandin speaks worldwide, advocating for autism rights and awareness. She has been an advocate for decades and first spoke publicly about autism in the 1980s when she was invited by a founder of the Autism Society of America. In 2010, her achievements and life were highlighted in a movie titled “Temple Grandin,” and it was nominated for 15 Emmy Awards and won five.

As one of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world, her life proves that thinking differently can change the world. She inspires others to dream big and discover their strengths, no matter the challenges.