Dr. Temple Grandin uses autism to understand animal behavior

I recently had the opportunity to listen to one of agriculture’s favorite scientists, Temple Grandin.  While I knew the basics about who she is (a smart woman who found ways to save farmers money while getting her life turned into a movie), I have to admit I really didn’t know too much about why she is so influential.  When I learned she would be speaking at Oklahoma State, I jumped at the opportunity to hear more about her.  After rounding up a couple of friends, we headed over and found a lesson we didn’t see coming.

Entering a crowded Gallagher-Iba basketball arena, my friends and I took a seat just in time to hear an amazing list of credentials and see the celebrity of the day Temple Grandin walk on stage.  While we were expecting a speech about animal behavior we quickly learned that was not the theme.  In fact, the Colorado State professor actually taught us more about human behavior than animal.  Explaining how autism works, Dr. Grandin made a point of giving a descriptive lesson on the differences between the thoughts of people with autism and those of the majority of the population.  “I didn’t know that people with autism see just a piece of a picture where most people see the big things”  said Lauren Ragsdale, a sophomore in Ag Education at OSU, who was amazed to learn how easily most people overlook the small details.  “That’s what helps her because that’s how animals think.  In a way, having autism is an advantage.”

During Grandin’s presentation, it became obvious that her words don’t only impact those involved in agriculture; they’re also an avenue to connect non-agriculturists to the agrifood business.  “People really look up to her; she can reach out to people who aren’t involved in the industry.”  As Ragsdale thought back to the speech she couldn’t help but remember two girls in the audience seated just a few rows in front of us, thoroughly excited to have the chance to hear Dr. Grandin speak.  “Those two girls were in love with her and were fascinated by her.  I liked seeing that she had that big of an impact on people who are and aren’t involved in agriculture.”

The impacts of her speech didn’t stop there.  I thought it was impressive that Dr. Grandin learned her strengths at an early age and found ways to utilize those strengths to make a difference.  Though she admitted she had weaknesses, discovering the qualities she could contribute made her not only helpful to the bottom-line of the farms she worked with, they show that work done in agriculture can be very diverse.  Dalton Shryock, an Animal Science sophomore thought this was a great message to be sending to college students preparing to enter the agriculture industry.  “Ag doesn’t have to be the typical grow up on a farm and work with animals your whole life, it can be done by anybody.”  At a time in our education when finding a career is becoming important, it is comforting to know that the agriculture industry has a place for all of us.

After listening to Temple Grandin speak, I have to wonder how I can capitalize on the strengths I have to help the industry.  What ways can we use each other’s perspectives to make positive changes to the industry?

~ Guest post by Laura Padgett, college student

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