March 3, 2010
Although she is living with autism, which deprived her of the ability to relate to or experience a range of emotions, Temple Grandin was fortunate enough to grow up with a supportive family and mentors who ensured that she could reach her full potential.
In fact, their success has been so phenomenal that Grandin went on to become a professor of animal science at Colorado State University as well as an author and animal activist.
As a person with high-functioning autism, the 62-year-old is also a noted advocate, whose support for early therapies, and an inexhaustible desire to share her inspiring story, are credited with changing society's attitudes towards autism.
Grandin recently spoke at the TED Conference in California, saying that the fact that people's brains work in different ways should be appreciated, not stigmatized, and that her autism is a gift, rather than a disability, according to CNN.
She also described how she thinks in pictures, "like Google for images," and has a highly developed ability to focus on details, a function she joked could help politicians.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 26,670 children born in the U.S. each year will eventually be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
The cause of autism is not known, and genetic components are believed to play a role, but some cases have been linked to chemical exposure during pregnancy. Therefore experts say expectant mothers should not take unauthorized drugs and refrain from drinking alcohol.
Families facing the challenge of ASDs may consult the resources of the Autism Society of America which also accepts donations.
