This next woman that I want to feature is especially dear to my heart. I am personally so thankful for Temple Grandin. If you don’t know anything about her PLEASE watch this awesome movie staring Claire Danes. Her story is so touching. I can’t tell you how many times I cried during it.
Temple Grandin is brilliant. Like insanely smart. She has her doctorate in Animal Sciences. She worked in the agriculture field in the 1960’s back when it was a boys club. The feminist in me was so impressed with how she dealt with how they treated her. It wasn’t fair. Especially because she was seriously smarter than them. Her thinking, observations, and perseverance changed the way animals were treated in slaughter houses. And it’s not because her persistence changed their views that animals should be treated with respect. But because her brilliant ideas saved money. And as a woman she had constantly fight to be heard and respected, even when she was placed in charge. That enough right there is impressive enough.
But that’s not all. Temple Grandin is on the autism spectrum, just like my oldest son. Usually we just say he has Asperger’s. So not only did Temple have to deal with a bunch of terrible jerks who didn’t want her on the ranch because she was a woman, she had to process her emotions and deal with the struggles that come with autism.
My favorite part of the movie is at the end (spoiler) when there is a large conference filled with parents who don’t know how to help their children. Their children are present and they are kinda crazy. Temple gives her opinion and tells parents what they need to do. Parents ask Temple if this worked for her children. She shares she doesn’t actually have any children. The parents scoff and blow her off. “Why should we listen to you?” And she answers because she has autism. They can’t believe it. This grown, educated woman who is behaving “normally”. Temple became the voice for autism. She has spent much of her life educating and advocating for others with autism.
And she has spent so much of her life study her brain, doing research, and sharing how to help the next generation. One of the first books I read was Bright, Not Broken. I love this book. It talks about twice exceptional children. These are children with extreme strengths but also weaknesses. It’s so easy to focus on weaknesses in school and at home. We have worked with IEP (Individual Education Plans) for over 8 years. I’m so thankful for educators who saw my son’s strengths, and not just his weaknesses. Because sometimes it’s really apparent that his fine motor skills are lacking, or focus can be a problem, or staying in his seat like the other kids do in his class. Those things can stand out. But they also notice his insane reading abilities, the high math he can do in his head, and his awesome sense of humor.
I found my favorite parts of the book Bright Not Broken were the excerpts from Temple Grandin. That’s when I knew I just needed to read her book.
Temple has helped me better understand my son. I have always loved the way his brain works. We need thinkers like him. People who think outside of the box. And I’m so grateful for all the research and help Temple Grandin has given so I can support and help my son succeed. I love the book The Autistic Brain. I highly recommend it! We learn how her brain is just wired differently. I love the practical advice she gives to parents. Temple Grandin has personally affected my life and helped me be a better mom.
And my son loves Temple Grandin. He chose her for his autobiography in elementary. I love that he can better understand himself. It can be so hard to be different than others. Especially when you are aware of it. Temple Grandin is a great role model for all my kids with her abilities, perseverance, and grit.
Other amazing books from her are The Way I See it, Temple Grandin: How The Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World, Thinking in Pictures, and her new book Calling All Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor.
Not only am I thankful for Temple. But I’m also thankful for her mother. When Temple was a child, doctors encouraged her mother to have her put in an institution. Our world would not be the same if her mother followed their counsel. I’m so thankful that her mother didn’t listen. She followed her gut and used her common sense and I believe, inspiration, to help her daughter. I know with all the help I have from books, information, educators it’s still hard being a mom. My son still has a hard time processing his emotions and expressing himself. It can be hard to be patient. Especially when I have 3 other children to take care of. But having a better understand of how his brain works and what my son needs from me lifts me up. There is so much hope. Some things are a real struggle for my son. But I know he is going to do amazing things.
My daughter already loved Temple Grandin. Anyone who is like her biggest brother is alright with her. She adores him and is use to him and the strong emotions he shows when things are hard. She is patient with him. It’s his normal and part of her life. And I think that helps her to be more compassionate with others when if they are having a hard time. My daughter loved hearing about how Temple helped animals. She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She loves animals, especially dogs. I love what a great example Temple Grandin is to young girls everywhere. Girls can love science and solve problems and change the world. This book is great for teaching children about Temple Grandin. The Girl Who Thought In Pictures.
I am so thankful for amazing books that help me teach my children, especially my daughter, about amazing women in history. Be sure to check out other amazing heroes that have influenced my life as we recreate photos through history to celebrate my daughter’s 5th birthday. You can read about Malala, Harriet Tubman, and Irena Sendler.
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