Temple Grandin is the most accomplished and well-known autistic adult in the world. She inspires others through her story, which starts at three years old with her diagnosis of severe autism and a recommendation that she live out her life in a mental institution. At the time, in the 1950s, medical professionals did not believe that autistic children could develop in any useful way.
Despite being teased and bullied as a youth, a grade-school math teacher recognized her unique interests and abilities and encouraged her to "keep opening doors." A college degree, a masters, and a Ph.D. later, Dr. Grandin developed her talents into a wildly successful career as a livestock-handling equipment designer. She has designed the facilities in which half the country's cattle are handled. She serves as professor of animal science at Colorado State University and speaks around the world on both autism and cattle handling.
Dr. Grandin has been featured on NPR, ABC's Primetime Live, The Today Show, Larry King Live, 48 Hours, and 20/20. She has been written about in many national publications, including Time, People, Forbes, US News and World Report, and The New York Times. Bravo aired a half-hour show on her life, she was featured in the best-selling book Anthropologist from Mars, and HBO released a major-motion picture on her life, starring Claire Danes as Grandin.
She has authored eight books, including the current best-seller "The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism." She is easily the most heralded and decorated speaker in the Presentation Summit's 21-year history.