Temple Grandin gives a talk - about 16 minutes long - on various topics, such as our need to have all different kinds of minds working in our society.
She talks especially about the educational system and what they could be doing better. But there was also a section in her talk about how she, and other people with autism, think.
Oh, if I could only know what Bil is thinking. His Medicaid Service Coordinator contacted me the other day. He is taking some time off in the next month, and plans to come up here. (we already knew about that but the trip is still pretty up in the air).
You would never know it by watching Bil's behavior - he will disappear into the nearest room with a TV, turn on the "Weather Channel" and appear mainly for meals. So what is he thinking?
Back to Ms. Grandin's talk.
She flashes a slide showing a "S" and a "H" - made up of little and big S's and H's. Someone with autism and someone without autism may process this different, possibly seeing only the big letters or the small letters.
So we know that Bil processes a lot of information differently. But why in blazes would he be excited about a trip, and then sit around and watch TV all day? Isn't it the same channel that he can get at home?
What is the point? Oh Temple, I wish you could tell me.
It's a worthwhile talk, by the way - touching on a lot of different topics. If you've seen the Temple Grandin movie originally shown on HBO, you've already seen some of this material. If not, treat yourself to this talk.
If only Bil could give a talk.
Showing posts with label Temple Grandin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Temple Grandin. Show all posts
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Can They Overcome?
Tonight on the game show Jeopardy - an answer, asking for the name of the condition Temple Grandin has "overcome".
Earlier this year - a newspaper article about Temple Grandin 63-year-old Temple, who (and I quote)" has not merely overcome her autism, but used her skills to change the face of the meat industry in America..."
A quick Google search reveals a number of articles that talk about Ms. Grandin "overcoming" her autism.
It makes me mad. Not at Temple Grandin, who I admire greatly.
1. Autism is part of what Temple Grandin is. It is part of what my brother in law Bil is. Ms. Grandin has faced many obstacles due to her autism, but some of her talents derive from that same autism. It's my belief that there is a connection between autism in some people, and creativity - and yes, genius. (Google Albert Einstein and autism, and see what comes up.)
2. Autism is a life long condition. Temple is a visual thinker and has an excellent memory. But she still has her underlying condition. Her accomplishments are many.
3. But she has not overcome.
What Temple Grandin has managed to do is work on many of the limitations her autism has given her (even as she uses the genius her autism has granted her). She is a bridge between the world of Bil and the world of the neurotypical I belong to.
But at the end of the day....if she hadn't found commercial value in her talents...she may have been in the same boat as Bil finds himself.
The boat so many with autism find themselves in. The boat of limited opportunity, of limited choices, of limited housing.
Sorry, Jeopardy. She has not overcome.
Earlier this year - a newspaper article about Temple Grandin 63-year-old Temple, who (and I quote)" has not merely overcome her autism, but used her skills to change the face of the meat industry in America..."
A quick Google search reveals a number of articles that talk about Ms. Grandin "overcoming" her autism.
It makes me mad. Not at Temple Grandin, who I admire greatly.
1. Autism is part of what Temple Grandin is. It is part of what my brother in law Bil is. Ms. Grandin has faced many obstacles due to her autism, but some of her talents derive from that same autism. It's my belief that there is a connection between autism in some people, and creativity - and yes, genius. (Google Albert Einstein and autism, and see what comes up.)
2. Autism is a life long condition. Temple is a visual thinker and has an excellent memory. But she still has her underlying condition. Her accomplishments are many.
3. But she has not overcome.
What Temple Grandin has managed to do is work on many of the limitations her autism has given her (even as she uses the genius her autism has granted her). She is a bridge between the world of Bil and the world of the neurotypical I belong to.
But at the end of the day....if she hadn't found commercial value in her talents...she may have been in the same boat as Bil finds himself.
The boat so many with autism find themselves in. The boat of limited opportunity, of limited choices, of limited housing.
Sorry, Jeopardy. She has not overcome.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Temple Grandin on TV
Within a week after watching a DVD of the Temple Grandin HBO movie, we got to see her on TV once. And she was to appear on ABC Extreme Makeover-Home Edition tonight, but we didn't find out about it in time.
Still...isn't it strange the way you will read or see a program or movie on something or someone, and suddenly that person (or a place, or an event) will suddenly pop up everywhere.
We saw the 60 Minutes last Sunday on Steve Jobs and to our delight, the show talked about I-Pad apps for people with autism. I'm not sure Bil would benefit from any of that as he is verbal, but it was interesting to learn about.
Meanwhile, the Extreme Makeover program did a home makeover for an Oregon couple with two childen with autism, and I was able to read a local paper's article on Temple Grandin's visit (which was actually in September.)
One thing I've never checked into is whether Bil knows anything about Temple Grandin, or even if he knows if she exists. Maybe - with an I-Pad app? we could one day find out what Bil thinks of her.
Still...isn't it strange the way you will read or see a program or movie on something or someone, and suddenly that person (or a place, or an event) will suddenly pop up everywhere.
We saw the 60 Minutes last Sunday on Steve Jobs and to our delight, the show talked about I-Pad apps for people with autism. I'm not sure Bil would benefit from any of that as he is verbal, but it was interesting to learn about.
Meanwhile, the Extreme Makeover program did a home makeover for an Oregon couple with two childen with autism, and I was able to read a local paper's article on Temple Grandin's visit (which was actually in September.)
One thing I've never checked into is whether Bil knows anything about Temple Grandin, or even if he knows if she exists. Maybe - with an I-Pad app? we could one day find out what Bil thinks of her.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The Temple Grandin Movie
I had blogged (it seems like a million years ago but it was only in June) about the Temple Grandin movie made for HBO and how my local library had finally gotten hold of it.
Yes, I did get it out, and yes, I loved it.
Why did I love it? Well, yes, the actress who played Temple Grandin did an excellent job of portraying her, I felt. In fact, the entire cast did a wonderful job. But more than that, it wasn't just a story about autism. It was a story about a woman pioneer in a male-dominated industry (cattle ranching and the design of equipment related to ranching and slaughtering) and what she had to overcome. For any woman it would have been daunting. For Ms. Grandin, it may have approached a miracle (and if I was Temple, I'd be seeing a picture of Jesus walking on water as soon as I read "miracle")
Too late, I realized there was a commentary feature (by Temple herself) available with the film. I was very pleased to find out that "Hollywood touches" were kept to a minimum, at least according to this review.
A British newspaper has a wonderful interview on Temple and the movie.
As for Bil's mother and Temple's mother (who is still alive and is similar in age to my mother in law?) That will make a good post for another day.
Yes, I did get it out, and yes, I loved it.
Why did I love it? Well, yes, the actress who played Temple Grandin did an excellent job of portraying her, I felt. In fact, the entire cast did a wonderful job. But more than that, it wasn't just a story about autism. It was a story about a woman pioneer in a male-dominated industry (cattle ranching and the design of equipment related to ranching and slaughtering) and what she had to overcome. For any woman it would have been daunting. For Ms. Grandin, it may have approached a miracle (and if I was Temple, I'd be seeing a picture of Jesus walking on water as soon as I read "miracle")
Too late, I realized there was a commentary feature (by Temple herself) available with the film. I was very pleased to find out that "Hollywood touches" were kept to a minimum, at least according to this review.
A British newspaper has a wonderful interview on Temple and the movie.
As for Bil's mother and Temple's mother (who is still alive and is similar in age to my mother in law?) That will make a good post for another day.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Fred Fay and Temple Grandin
Today, while I wait for Bil's Medicaid Service Coordinator to provide us more information regarding Bil's medication issue and Medicaid (it may take upwards of a week or more for the MSC to research), I received a sad email from Wrightslaw.
Fred Fay, who suffered a spinal cord injury years back when he was 16 and became a pioneering advocate for people with all disabilities, passed away on August 20.
The good news in this is that PBS will premiere a film on his life, Lives Worth Living, on October 27.
This film is advertised to be both a biography of Fred Fay and a documentary about the Disability Rights movement.
Today I also found, in the local library, the HBO movie on Temple Grandin, arguably the most famous person with autism alive today.
Two people who affected our lives-and Bil's, in different ways. Two wonderful films in a month. Can't wait.
Fred Fay, who suffered a spinal cord injury years back when he was 16 and became a pioneering advocate for people with all disabilities, passed away on August 20.
The good news in this is that PBS will premiere a film on his life, Lives Worth Living, on October 27.
This film is advertised to be both a biography of Fred Fay and a documentary about the Disability Rights movement.
Today I also found, in the local library, the HBO movie on Temple Grandin, arguably the most famous person with autism alive today.
Two people who affected our lives-and Bil's, in different ways. Two wonderful films in a month. Can't wait.
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Way She Sees It
Temple Grandin. A doorway into the heart of how people with autism think, feel, and experience. Arguably, Ms. Grandin is the most "famous" person alive with autism. She has a unique talent with animals, and a unique talent in being able to communicate well with the neurotypical community.
Sometimes I wish there were more books out there dealing with adults with autism. Every time I see a new book in the library (and - sadly, in a way - the libraries are buying more and more books on the topic) I pick it up and leaf through it, and hope there will be something in there about adults.
There almost never is.
I happened to find this book online: The Way I See It by Temple Grandin.
This is not a new book, but is revised. For whatever reason, I have seldom sought out actual books written by people with autism. I don't know why that is. Perhaps because they would already differ from Bil, who has major problems in communicating (although he is verbal). And, you can't assume that all people on the autistic spectrum are the same. That's why it's a spectrum.
Still, I wonder if this book would have information of interest to me. Perhaps I will look for it, when the library reopens on Monday.
And, oh, yes. The HBO movie about Temple Grandin is now on DVD. I hope our local library gets it soon. Funny how there is hardly any place here anymore to rent DVD's. There's the Redbox but what's the chance of a Redbox having this movie? I've resisted signing up for Netflix so far (and I don't have a modern TV, anyway). So the library has become a major source of DVD's too.
I'll report, if I do get the book or movie, on what I find out.
Sometimes I wish there were more books out there dealing with adults with autism. Every time I see a new book in the library (and - sadly, in a way - the libraries are buying more and more books on the topic) I pick it up and leaf through it, and hope there will be something in there about adults.
There almost never is.
I happened to find this book online: The Way I See It by Temple Grandin.
This is not a new book, but is revised. For whatever reason, I have seldom sought out actual books written by people with autism. I don't know why that is. Perhaps because they would already differ from Bil, who has major problems in communicating (although he is verbal). And, you can't assume that all people on the autistic spectrum are the same. That's why it's a spectrum.
Still, I wonder if this book would have information of interest to me. Perhaps I will look for it, when the library reopens on Monday.
And, oh, yes. The HBO movie about Temple Grandin is now on DVD. I hope our local library gets it soon. Funny how there is hardly any place here anymore to rent DVD's. There's the Redbox but what's the chance of a Redbox having this movie? I've resisted signing up for Netflix so far (and I don't have a modern TV, anyway). So the library has become a major source of DVD's too.
I'll report, if I do get the book or movie, on what I find out.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Temple Grandin
Last night I got out an HBO movie from the library called "Warm Springs" about Franklin Roosevelt's struggle with polio and the attitudes surrounding people with disabilities back in the 1920's.
In researching that movie, I came across reviews of a more recent HBO movie called "Temple Grandin: Her Real Life Journey". If people are educated about autism, a name that will immediately come to their mind is that of Temple Grandin, who is arguably one of the most influential people in the field of humane food animal treatment and slaughter - and who has autism. It may not be an exageration to call Ms. Grandin the "Helen Keller" of the 21st century.
With each step she takes, life holds the chance of change for people such as my brother in law.
What is ability vs. disability, after all?
I knew this movie about Ms. Grandin had been made, but I do not have HBO. I hope that the movie comes out soon in DVD, so I can view it. I read the reviews on the HBO website, and I want to see it now more than ever.
So...what was going to start as a posting about changing societal issues in the 20's turns out to be a posting about something else entirely. Fear not, I will post about the Warm Springs movie in the near future.
In researching that movie, I came across reviews of a more recent HBO movie called "Temple Grandin: Her Real Life Journey". If people are educated about autism, a name that will immediately come to their mind is that of Temple Grandin, who is arguably one of the most influential people in the field of humane food animal treatment and slaughter - and who has autism. It may not be an exageration to call Ms. Grandin the "Helen Keller" of the 21st century.
With each step she takes, life holds the chance of change for people such as my brother in law.
What is ability vs. disability, after all?
I knew this movie about Ms. Grandin had been made, but I do not have HBO. I hope that the movie comes out soon in DVD, so I can view it. I read the reviews on the HBO website, and I want to see it now more than ever.
So...what was going to start as a posting about changing societal issues in the 20's turns out to be a posting about something else entirely. Fear not, I will post about the Warm Springs movie in the near future.
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