Temple Grandin was was on NPR's Fresh Air the other night (Jan 5). She is a FASCINATING woman. For those of you who are not familiar with Animals in Translation, she is a high functioning autistic woman with a phD in animal science (focus on behavior). Since autism is a very visual disorder she relates to animals visual way of life. She has designed humane slaughter houses that most plants use. Anyway here's the link:
she is great to talk with also, one would never suspect she has autism, very intelligent, always willing to answer questions, and not a bit shy about sharing her perspective/opinions. i was lucky enough to work with her a couple of times in my previous job as mgmt in a large packing facility.
Ann: that must have been pretty cool to speak with her and hear her thoughts on your facility. She is a pretty amazing woman and points out things needing to change that one would never suspect.
Sandra, that was a nice video, thanks. I would love to see her give a presentation.
She just wrote a new book (which I have already bought) called "Animals make us human". and is giving book tours through barnes and noble. I'm excited to see her in our town. I live in Fort Collins, CO where she teaches at Colorado State. Unfortunately since I've discovered her she's been writing her book and not teaching classes. I am looking forward to seeing her teach a class, and hopefully can sit in on a semester or two of her teaching.
Natalya Zahn Webboard User Reg: 12-22-2006
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Quote: jennifer skeldon
She just wrote a new book (which I have already bought) called "Animals make us human". and is giving book tours through barnes and noble. I'm excited to see her in our town. I live in Fort Collins, CO where she teaches at Colorado State.
Thanks for the heads up about her book tour Jennifer! I heard her on Fresh Air, then again on All Things Considered the next day, but I didn't even think about her touring with the new book... I just looked up her schedule and she'll be in Boston next week - I'll definitely try to make it! Can't wait to read the new book as well, Animals In Translation was an amazing read, and every time I hear her on the radio I'm just awestruck by her intelligence and clarity - the woman is a brilliant inspiration to us all, but especially to those with autism.
I didn't realize she was on All Things Considered too! I'll have to look that up. I hope her barnes and noble tour is a little more than a signing, maybe a talk before hand. I love that the things she says seem so easy yet intuitive but things I never would have come up with on my own. Most of dog training is like this for me, once I realize it it's like 'duh'.
Melissa Hoyer Webboard User Reg: 05-09-2005
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Quote: Jennifer Skeldon
Since autism is a very visual disorder she relates to animals visual way of life.
How is autism a very visual disorder? I am a vision therapist who essentially teaches visual thinking skills to autistic kids and I'm confused by that statement. All of the kids that I have worked with do not use their vision (and I mean vision, not sight) effectively. Speaking generally from my own experiences, they lack the ability to use visualization as a means of prediction, usually have poor visual memory skills, and generally live in the moment. Almost all of them have problems with their eyes working together as a team...along with very poor eye contact.
I do like Temple Grandin and she is a great inspiration. (Though several people I know who have met her say that she still exhibits some typical symptoms of autism...poor social skills, very rule driven, etc.)
I've read that many children with autism do much better with pictures than with words. The way I've understood it is most autistic people excel at visual spatial skills while their verbal skills are poor.
I do animal therapy with Kota. We worked with an autistic child, and used pictures and visual schedules with him. He wouldn't understand me asking him to brush Kota, but would understand when I showed him a picture of a brush and a dog.
Here's a link to the first chapter of Grandin's book "Thinking in Pictures"
Melissa Hoyer Webboard User Reg: 05-09-2005
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Oh, I see what you mean now
Yes, I have used pictures to communicate with nonverbal children (not necessarily autistic...).
Most of the autistic children I have worked with are very hands on...learning through touch. I was thinking more of vision being a primary tool of learning about the world around you...using your eyes to "touch" instead of your hands...using your visualization skills to picture the past and predict the future...reading and making pictures in your mind...
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