Meeting Dr. Temple Grandin

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A couple of months ago, I was working from home while battling some allergies. While checking my social media, I saw a very special event posted on a Facebook group that I'm a part of. It was a "limited seat invitation" to a Meet & Greet with Dr. Temple Grandin! I noticed that the message was sent the previous day though, so I was 99.99% convinced that my opportunity was gone. But I thought, "What do I have to lose?" So I decided to contact the organizers and ask if I could still participate, even though there were only three hours until the event began. Not going to lie, I was at home in my PJ's feeling delusional just by asking that question!

Some minutes later, though, I received an answer. The organizers told me… "You got the last spot!" I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!

The event was located an hour away, so I needed to hurry up and get ready to leave. I didn't have much time, and I needed to think about what to ask Dr. Grandin if I had the chance. I started browsing Dr. Grandin's webpages to make sure I didn't ask something I could already find the answer to on the web.  Also, I reached out to the St. Anthony School Admin Team and my family and asked,

"What would you ask Dr. Grandin if you had the opportunity?"

I quickly found a notebook, made "My list of Questions," got ready, and drove as fast as I could (without getting pulled over, of course) to get there on time.

It was a totally unexpected but great experience from beginning to end!

When I arrived at the venue, I accidentally went through the wrong entrance. All of a sudden, an SUV stopped right in front of me- sideways! I was trying to figure out how to get out of there (without hitting that vehicle) and find the right parking lot when the car doors opened in front of me. Who stepped out of that car? None other than Dr. Grandin and the event organizers!! I started laughing and was relieved that I didn't force my way around the SUV- that wouldn't have been the best way to introduce myself!  

After I found the right parking lot, I went inside the venue where I was able to buy one of her books- precisely the one I was looking for online weeks ago. Dr. Grandin was graciously signing books and taking pictures. I noticed that she was very uncomfortable, and later on, she explained that even though she doesn't enjoy taking pictures, she knows it's important for the people meeting her.  

When it was my turn, I was surprised when she asked me why I was there. We started chatting, but our talk was cut short because it was time for the Q&A session.  

When she grabbed the microphone, her expression completely transformed. There she was, a bright light sharing her experiences and advising as many audience members as possible!  

At first, I was just enjoying listening to what she was sharing while answering other people's questions- which were also some of mine! But then, I realized time was running out, and I needed to get her attention. When it was finally my turn, I experienced her total care and focus, and we had an amazing and meaningful conversation.

Dr. Grandin doesn't like to give general advice; she asks for specific situations so she can be the most helpful and advise appropriately.   

Here are my notes from this fantastic event:

  • Studying is the way to get somewhere else, but never should be the end goal. It is essential to have studies to get the proper way to write, communicate, know basic subjects, etc. and open doors.

  • There are a lot of "back doors" to get to your goal, so don't be discouraged if you don't make it in the way other people have. You can get a job doing something else within the company/industry you like and climb from there.

  • It is better to get 80% of what you want VS 100% of what you don't want. Recognize your talents and limitations and go in the direction of those talents.

  • Don't expect Neurodiverse people to have appropriate resources available for them all their lives. Parents need to focus on supporting their children's talents and help them develop the necessary skills to become successful independent adults and a valuable part of society.

  • There are lots of resources online to help kids start developing their abilities from a very young age. We don't need to wait until they are older if they already have the capability.

  • Industries need Neurodiverse people- visual thinkers, analyzers, etc. ·        Autism is just a part of you, and there is more that You Can do VS what You Can't do.

  • It is essential to let law enforcement know about someone's Autism, so they know to expect different behaviors.

  • It is crucial to teach people on the Spectrum about law enforcement branches, their specific uniforms, and how to communicate with them and advocate for themselves.

  • People need to keep learning and updating their knowledge about Autism and Neurodiversity.

  • Things will happen, so people on the Spectrum need to learn alternative options to anger/frustration.

  • Find the right therapy for you, including exercise, medication (if needed), natural approaches, etc.

  • Read her books! She shares lots of useful in-depth information for people on the Spectrum, Parents, Teachers, Therapists, etc.  


I hope this information was helpful to you! And yes, I also took a picture with her! :D            

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Since this information can be read online anywhere in the world, I encourage you to visit The St. Anthony School Webpage: https://www.thestanthonyschool.com and Social Media: Facebook, Instagram & YouTube Channel for more information about Autism and other Neurological Disorders.  

About the Author:

Alicia MC is a Writer, a Neurodiversity Advocate, and a Corporate and Social Media Marketing Specialist eager to share her experience & knowledge to help others.

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Mentally Retarded (IQ less than 70), MPD, Multiple Personality Disorder, MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MSDD, Multi-system developmental disorder, NBD, Neurobiological Disorder, NDA, Not Diagnosed with Anything, NICHCY, National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, NIEHS, National Institute of Environmental Health Services, NIMH, National Institute of Mental Health, NINDS, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NJCOSAC, New Jersey Center for Outreach & Services for the Autism Community, NOD, Not Otherwise Defined, Not Otherwise Diagnosed, NORD, National Organization for Rare Disorders, NOS, Not of Specific Origin, Not Otherwise Specified, usually seen as PDD-NOS, NPD, Normal Person Disorder, NPND, National Parent Network on Disabilities, NT, Neurologically Typical, Neurotypical, NVLD, Non-Verbal Learning Disability, NYD, Not Yet Diagnosed, OAAC, Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children, OASIS, On-line Asperger’s Syndrome Information and Support, OCB, Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior, OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Office of Child Development, Oppositional Conduct Disorder, OCYF, Office of Children, Youth, and Families, ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, OMHSAS, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, ORS, Office of Rehabilitation Services, OSEP, Office of Special Education Programs, OSERS, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, OSP, Office of Social Programs, OT, Occupational Therapist or therapy, OVR, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, PANDAS, Pediatric Autoimmune Neurological Disorder Associated with Strep, Part B, References parts of IDEA which covers education of ages 3-22, PCA, Personal Care Assistant, PDD, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, PDDNOS, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, PDR, Physician’s Desk Reference, PECS, Picture Exchange Communication System, PEN, Parent Education Network, POA, Power of Attorney, POHI, Physically or Otherwise Health Impaired, PPCD, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, PPO, Preferred Physician Organization, Preferred Provider Option, PPS, Pupil Personnel Services, PQ, Performance IQ, PRT, Pivotal Response Training, PT, Physical Therapist or Therapy, PTIC, Parent Training and Information Center, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PUNS, Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services, PwD, People with Disabilities, RDI, Relationship Developmental Intervention, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder (aka “Wintertime Depression”), SBH, Severe Behavior Handicap, SCD, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, SD, School District, SED, Severely Emotionally Disturbed, SELPA, Special Education Local Plan Area (used in CA), SERRC, Special Educational Regional Recourse Center, SI, Sensory Integration, SID, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, SIB, Self-injurious behavior, SIPT, Sensory Integration and Praxis Text, SLP, Speech and Language Pathologist, SNT, Special Needs Trust, SuperNu Thera - by Kirkman Labs, Sped, special education, SSA, Social Security Administration, SSD, Social Security Disability, SSRI, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - class of meds, incl: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, SST, Student Study Team, STAART, Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment, STRANS, Survey of Teenage Readiness And Neurodevelopmental Status, TACA, Talk About Curing Autism, TEACCH, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Disorders, TMG, TriMethylGlycine (see also DMG), TOPL, Test of Pragmatic Language, TS, Tourette’s Syndrome, TSS, Therapeutic Support Staff, VB, Verbal Behavior, Voc-Ed, Vocational Education, VQ, Verbal IQ, VR, Vocational Rehabilitation, WAIS, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (an IQ test), WIIA, Work Incentives Initiative Act, WISC, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (an IQ test), WPPSI, Weschler Preschool Primary - testing for under age 6, Temple Grandin