Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science, a pioneer in improving the welfare of farm animals, and an advocate for autism awareness and understanding.
She also is the author of many articles and books, including the New York Times bestseller Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior; and her early life and career were the subject of a feature film, Temple Grandin, which received seven Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award.
Grandin has spoken to parents and teachers throughout the U.S. about her remarkable life and growing up with autism. On Wednesday, April 14, she will present “Autism—Helping Different Kinds of Minds Solve Problems” as part of the Roland Quest Lecture Series at Elmhurst University. The lecture will be presented in a virtual format.
Grandin’s achievements as a scientist, educator and advocate are all the more notable because she grew up with autism. At age 2, she had no speech and all the signs of severe autism. Many hours of speech therapy and intensive teaching enabled her to learn speech, and mentoring by her high school science teacher and her aunt motivated Grandin to study and pursue a career as a scientist and livestock equipment designer. Grandin earned her Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Illinois and is currently a professor at Colorado State University.
“Autism—Helping Different Kinds of Minds Solve Problems” will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, in a virtual format. Admission is $5 for the general public and tickets are available. An access link to the event will be provided closer to the event date. This lecture is free for all Elmhurst University students, faculty, staff and alumni, but reservations are required. For questions, call (630) 617-5186 to leave a message or email marketing@elmhurst.edu.