Ascending  with autism

By DEVIN WEEKS

Staff Writer

Temple Grandin changed the way people handle livestock on cattle ranches and in slaughterhouses.

She's a visionary and a rare female in her field.

She also has autism.

"Autism is a very big continuum that goes from very severe — the child remains nonverbal — all the way up to brilliant scientists and engineers," Grandin said during a TED Talk in Long Beach in 2010. "The thing about the autistic mind is it attends to details."

Grandin will be the speaker Nov. 16 during a presentation at North Idaho College, organized by the Panhandle Autism Society.

"It's a big deal. I'm really excited she is able to come here," said PAS President Jennifer Cork. "I think it's really important for people to see that people with autism can do things and they can be successful and have careers."

Grandin is the author of several books and is a renowned speaker on autism and animal behavior. She is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and has a successful career consulting on livestock-handling equipment design and animal welfare.

"She revolutionized the cattle industry and made it more humane," Cork said. "She also does a ton of advocacy for autism."

Her struggles, successes and works were celebrated in the 2010 biographical film "Temple Grandin," where she was played by Claire Danes.

"Not everyone is going to be Temple Grandin," Cork said. "But if you have goals, if you have dreams, just because you have autism or some other disability doesn't mean that it's out of reach for you."

The day before the NIC presentation, Grandin, at her request, will visit the agriculture department at the University of Idaho in Moscow, where her practices are being implemented.

Carly Schoepflin, director for communications and strategic initiatives for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UI, said the plan is for Grandin to interact with students and faculty, as well as those in the Raven Scholars Program, a program for students on the autism spectrum.

"She is highly regarded when it comes to the work we do in the college. It's kind of surreal to be emailing back and forth and be on the phone with someone who is renowned in her field," Schoepflin said. "It’s an incredible opportunity for our students, faculty, staff and the greater community to really partner with her and her interests. That recognition and excitement to engage with students is flattering."

The PAS Conference with Dr. Temple Grandin will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 in the Schuler Performing Arts Center, 1000 W. Garden Ave. in Coeur d'Alene.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at www.panhandleautismsociety.org.