Temple Grandin: A Humane Human
Temple Grandin’s credentials paint the picture of an amazing individual, first misunderstood before her profound insights were fully appreciated. How has society benefited from this woman’s unique perspectives and impact?
Through her innovative designs for humane livestock handling equipment combined with her substantial work as an autism advocate.
Born in 1947 in Boston, Massachusetts, Grandin was misdiagnosed at the age of two as “brain damaged,” a finding not disproved until 2010, at the age of 63. Yet Grandin’s mother believed that her daughter’s high IQ and symptoms might indicate autism. It was indeed determined later that Grandin was an autistic savant, “a person who shows characteristic social deficits of autism and yet also has some exceptional abilities.”
Grandin’s limited ability to communicate and interact with others because of her developmental disorder led her to investigate human interactions with animals and concentrate on the unconditional emotional connections they offer us. Visualizing and empathizing with animals’ situations, Grandin imagined them benefiting from more humane treatment. She thus applied herself to earning a BA in human psychology (1970), a master’s degree in animal science (1975), and a PhD in animal science (1989).
As an animal behaviorist and proponent of the humane treatment of livestock, in 1991 Grandin made revolutionary recommendations and created designs to improve the cattle-handling system. Her aim was to promote a calm, orderly environment in meat processing plants so the animals do not panic or balk. Today she is an important consultant to the livestock industry, where her advice on benevolent animal treatment is used in the American meat industry, in particular. Her enhancements changed the food industry, improving product quality as a result. She has used her insights into animal behaviors to design improved animal facilities in Australia, Canada, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, and the USA, among other countries, according to her website.
Today, Grandin teaches courses on livestock behavior and welfare, and livestock handling and facility design, at Colorado State University. She is the author of over 400 articles in both scientific journals and livestock periodicals on animal handling and well-being, and facility planning.
Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin book cover
But Grandin is also an influential autism spokesperson who has written more than 20 books on aspects of the disorder and the benefits of understanding human/animal interaction. Several of her works have made The New York Times bestsellers list, including Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior, Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals, and Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions. Her 2018 book, Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor, “teaches children the history of patents and inventions and encourages them to create their own inventions.”
The skills that people with autism bring to the table should be nurtured for their benefit and society’s.”
– Temple Grandin (website)
Grandin has achieved well-earned recognition, winning numerous awards for her achievements. In 2010, TIME magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2017, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, and she was made a fellow in 2018 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her website also notes she was “named as one of the top 10 Best College Professors in 2020 by CEO Magazine and, in 2022, she was awarded the University Distinguished Professor degree at Colorado State University.”
A prominent champion of animal welfare and human autism rights through her research, writings, and advocacy, Temple Grandin has improved our understanding of ourselves and of the animals with which we share so much.
Your blog post was like a warm hug on a cold day. Thank you for spreading positivity and kindness through your words.