Temple Grandin to speak at CSC Jan. 28

Her free presentation is co-sponsored by the CSC Applied Sciences department and the Chadron High School chapter of the National FFA Organization program with funds from the CSC administration for High Impact Practices and Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

Grandin, a faculty member at Colorado State University, was diagnosed with autism as a child and went on to pursue work in psychology and animal science. She earned a degree in psychology from Franklin Pierce College in 1970, followed by a master's degree in animal science from Arizona State University and a doctoral degree in animal science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

She has written books, produced DVDs and provided consultation on the humane treatment of animals. In 2010, HBO released an Emmy Award winning film on her life. Time Magazine named Grandin one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2010.

She has also worked as a consultant to companies with large animal slaughterhouse operations, advising them on ways of improving the quality of life of their cattle.

In addition to her work regarding animal welfare, neurology and philosophy, she is well-known for autism advocacy and the education of autistic children.

She advocates early intervention, including the training of teachers to direct each child’s specific fixations. She argues that her contributions to the field of animal welfare would not have been possible without the insights and sensitivities that are a consequence of her autism.

Grandin is a primarily visual thinker who considers verbal communication to be a secondary skill. Grandin said she also has an extreme sensitivity to detail and environmental change, which she credits for her insight into the minds of cattle and domesticated animals.