Asperger syndrome yet to slow accomplished author

by Shelbi Wallace, online editor

Everyday life presents people with obstacles that they must choose either to settle with or overcome.

A sever disorder makes life challenging for Temple Grandin. Yet, she continues with courage to persevere through the hardships.

Grandin is one of the most accomplished and well-known adults living with autism in the world today. She was in Lubbock on Oct. 8 for three appearances at the Texas Tech University campus. She gave her first lecture in the morning at the Allen Theatre in the Student Union Building. She stopped briefly before traveling to the Frazier Alumni Pavilion, where a “Leadership Luncheon for the Community” was held. She presented her last lecture of the day, “Growing up with Autism”, in the City Bank auditorium.

Asperger syndrome is the autism spectrum disorder in which there is no general delay in language or cognitive development. This disorder is characterized by difficulties in social interaction and restricted, stereotyped patterns of behavior and interests. In frequent cases, physical clumsiness and a typical use of language are reported.

This disorder makes brain functions, such as, processing, organizing, sensory and communication, difficult. Unfortunately, there is no single treatment for Asperger’s syndrome.

Grandin, who was born Aug. 29, 1947 in Boston, Mass., had early signs of behavioral problems. She did not begin speaking until after the age of 3. However, with the extra push from her parents, she remained out of an institution and attended private and boarding schools.

“Bad behavior was not tolerated when I was a child,” Grandin said. “My 1950’s upbringing taught me many important social and job skills. Life was more rigid in the ‘50’s, and I believe that really helped with my upbringing.”

When she attended boarding school, she was taught a “rule system” that she still uses to this day. There are only four rules to this system, but she believes that, although it may be simple, if abided, it works. Really bad things, Courtesy Rules, Illegal but not bad, and Sins of the System are the four main rules.

Despite her obstacles, Grandin earned a degree in New Hampshire in 1970. She continued to Arizona State University and the University of Illinois, where she received her master’s and doctoral degree’s in animal science.

Grandin uses her Asperger’s syndrome and autism, along with her knowledge and love for animals, to pursue and overcome many life obstacles. Realizing hypersensitivity to sound and touch is common between animals and people with autism, she drastically changed her professional life.

For 35 years, Grandin has designed cattle handling facilities. Her designs have been used from Plainview, Texas, all the way to Brazil.

“I think in visual and specific pictures,” she says.

Grandin explains from many angles the problems that may come from autism, but at the same time, in many cases, a talent is given. She informs her audience about the numerous kinds of difficulties one may have with this disorder. She briefly described the ways that can be useful to teach and understand someone diagnosed with autism.

“A good teacher is gently insistent,” Grandin says.

Grandin is also the author and co-author of several books, including “Genetics and Behavior of Domestic Animals” (1999), “Thinking in Pictures and Other Reports from My Life with Autism” (1995), “Emergence: Labeled Autistic” (1986) and “Animals in Translation” (2005). In her recent book, “Animals in Translation”, Grandin talks about her professional training as an animal scientist and her history as a person with autism giving her perspective like that of no other in the field. She says that understanding animals is in her blood and in her bones.

Since 1990, she has served as an instructor in animal science at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where she also runs Grandin Livestock Systems. At age 61, Grandin has accomplished numerous wonders despite her disorder. She has given countless inspiring seminars and lectures. Grandin has also appeared as a guest on many popular TV shows today, such as ABC, “Today Show”, “20/20” and “60 Minutes,” along with a few late night shows as well. Recently, HBO Original Series has decided to do a movie special about her life. The actress Claire Danes will be playing Grandin.

“I am what I do more than what I feel,” Grandin says.

With Asperger’s syndrome, autism and the many obstacles life has, Grandin has persevered through it all and has no plans of giving up.

 “If I didn’t have intellectually satisfying things to do, my life wouldn’t be worth living,”

Photo By Kathryn Aguirre/Plainsman Press