The Case of Temple Grandin
The Case of Temple Grandin paints a picture of a young woman’s determination and hard work while struggling with autism during a time when the disorder was unknown. This case discusses Grandin’s challenges, early diagnosis, growth and development in school, and support from her mother. Temple Grandin could not speak like the other children at the age of two, so because doctors could not find any physical issues she had been subsequently labeled as brain-damaged. To communicate with others, she would throw tantrums and scream. She could speak by three and a half years old with the help of speech therapy. A few years later at the age of five, Grandin was diagnosed with autism so her mother worked with her 30
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Despite general agreements among experts who believe biological factors cause autism, experts have not identified cures or causes (Hansell & Damour, 2008).
Leo Kanner (1943) believes autism is a result of emotional deprivation. He notes that parents of autistic children are intellectually and analytically oriented, but lack emotional warmth (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver, 2009).Some psychodynamic theorist believe autistic children were born normal, but became autistic after experiencing painful interactions with hostile or cold parents (Hansell & Damour, 2008). The term autistic implies a failure to effectively relate to the environment. Autistic individuals are perceived as elusive and distant (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver, 2009). Behavioral programs are most effective with autistic children and are used to teach them language, communication skills, self-care, and adaptation to the community (Hansell & Damour, 2008).
Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
At the age of two Temple Grandin had no speech, made little eye contact, withdrew from social interactions, and spent a lot of time staring into space (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver, 2009). Autism is the most common diagnosis under the persuasive developmental disorder category; it differs from Rett’s disorder and childhood disintegrative disorder. Children with autism have impairments in three categories with at least six items within the categories; two from the first category and at least one each from the
The movie entitled Temple Grandin featured the life of an autistic girl and the experiences she had from when she was so distant to others until she learned to cope up and became a better individual. She has autism which, according to Ernspberger, refers to “neurologic disorders involving serious impairment of abilities to interact and communicate socially, and repetitive and restricted interests and activities” (3). The purpose of this film is to let us see the life of an autistic person and feel what it is like to be her. Temple had struggles in life because of her gender and disability. People around her thought that she’s weird.
Temple Grandin’s autobiographical book, Thinking in Pictures, opened the door that revealed the true aspects of autism. The author, who is an autistic woman, portrayed autism not as a complicated developmental disorder but as a unique characteristic that is a compliment to society. To break apart from society’s stereotype on autistic individuals, Temple focused her book on issues such as how her disorder was initially misdiagnosed, her issues with learning acceptable behavior and social cues, her connection with animal minds, sensory sensitivities, and explored the possible treatments with medication.
“Temple’s most important innovations in design were accomplished not in spite of but because of her autism”. Says Sy Montgomery, the author of “Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World”. When someone has autism, it doesn’t mean they are dim-witted or different from everyone else. Temple Grandin inherited various special qualities which makes her extremely inspirational.
Autism, it is considered a death sentence when one is diagnosed with it. However, one
In Thinking in Pictures, Temple Grandin describes autism from the perspective of an engineer, animal enthusiast, scientist, and autistic activist. By providing a balanced discussion of the disorder’s deficits and abilities, her autism is portrayed in a refreshingly positive light. Grandin highlights the special heightened abilities that people with autism possess and repeatedly emphasizes the importance of cultivating skills and channeling interests. When discussing deficits, Grandin does not only state which symptoms people with autism may experience, but goes further to explain why these behaviors manifest. She provides readers with a neurological basis for nearly every behavior, from public tantrums and lack of empathy to avoiding eye contact and fearing change. Grandin tactfully defines, describes, and in a sense, justifies, all the seemingly strange behaviors that people with autism may exhibit, which consequentially helps to reduce the stigmatization of autism. Furthermore, she maintains the hopeful
Patience, acceptance, confidence. Temple Grandin’s story is one of finding yourself, being comfortable with yourself, and not letting anyone stop you from following your dreams and reaching your full potential. She not only proved herself as a female working in a very male dominated field, but she proved herself as someone with a disability defeating the odds and becoming extremely successful regardless of her countless trials.
Temple Grandin spoke about autism and how people need to change their thinking about this disorder. She mention that she was a visual learner and how many children think different from the typical child. Temple mentions how people need to change their thinking about children with autism. She mentions that schools need to have more hands on classes as in auto shop and art. People need to understand that all children that are diagnosed with autism can have similar symptoms of the disorder, but not all child with autism are the same. Temple also mentions that children that have autism need early intervention and mentors are essentially in helping children who have autism. Mentors can help show children and teenagers different skills as in coming
Temple Grandin was an autistic who despite her difficulties was able to turn it around and become successful. Many people have autism and are very smart but Temple Grandin became successful and changed many people's lives for the better. Temple Grandin possesses empathy understanding and commonalities that make her a great role model.
There are reported to be "no definitive causes of autism, research has found some common risk factors in children who have been diagnosed with this complex disorder. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 150 children will have autism and that number is growing." (p.1) Research is reported to have found a causal
Every single day is a struggle for an autistic child and his or her family. Autism affects all aspects of a child’s life from their ability to show affection to their family to being able to do simple tasks such as communicating and thinking in ways that we take for granted. Autism is defined as a developmental disability in which children experience abnormalities in social functioning, language, often act in puzzling ways, and usually appears before the age of three (Mash &Wolfe, 2010). Although the exact causes of autism are unknown there does seem to be a strong genetic component. Having a child or family member with autism is a constant battle of emotion and frustration. Everyone wants to help the people they love when they have
Working with children with autism and their families is an important issue. According to the U.S. Department of Education, identification of children with autism increased 79% from 1993-1997. This increase is not proportional to other disabilities, since the increase in identification of all disabilities from the same period was only 9.5% (National Center for Education Statistics, 1998). Over 500,000 people in the U.S. have some form of autism or pervasive developmental disorder, making it one of the most common developmental disabilities (Autism Society of America, 1999). Yet many professionals in healthcare and education do not have the knowledge or preparation to work with this growing population (Autism Society of America, 1999; Hart, 1993; Jordan & Powell, 1995; Muskat & Redefer, 1994).
Did you know that one in very sixty-eight children is diagnosed with autism? Many Americans do not know that much about autism or its effects and challenges that come with it. What is autism anyways? Autism is a neurological disorder that affects one’s ability to communicate with others, respond to stimuli in an appropriate way, or build relationships (Barnes,2015). Temple Grandin was just two years old when she was diagnosed with autism. Temple has faced, and will continue to face many barriers in her life with this disorder, but has overcome many of them. She has used her abilities and her different perspective to accomplish amazing things.
Scientists are still unsure as to what causes autism, but it is most commonly a genetic
Born in 1949, Temple Grandin was first diagnosed with brain damage at the age of three and then, at the age of five, labeled Autistic. Today Temple Grandin, self-labeled as a recovered autistic, is a well-respected doctor in animal science, a professor at Colorado State University, a bestselling author, an autism activist, and a leading consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. While it is easily argued that Temple Grandin’s life does not represent the norm for most children with autism, her autobiography, Emergence: Labeled Autistic (1986) offers a powerful picture of the influences and experiences that steered Temple through her journey ‘emerging’ from
Children and adolescents on the autistic spectrum are often not receiving the proper education that will accommodate to their needs. In today’s society there is a large number of schools, teachers, and administration that are lacking to give these students with special needs a valuable education that will help them through everyday life and in their near future. Autism is a growing diagnosis, it is a developmental disorder that affects how children comprehend and obtain information. “People with autism engage in repetitive or obsessive actions and interests, struggle to communicate and have difficulty relating to others and to the world around them” (Swartz). It is a neurological condition and is not treatable but there are several different