“Einstein would probably be in an autism program today” | Temple Grandin for Big Think+

Dr. Temple Grandin shares how we can unlock the hidden gifts of neurodivergent minds.

There are three types of thinkers. Which one are you?

Temple Grandin, author and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, recognized early in her life that her mind worked differently from those of her peers and colleagues. As a neurodivergent woman in a male-dominated field, Dr. Grandin reveals how this different way of thinking led to groundbreaking advancements in the cattle industry.

According to Grandin, there’s a major problem with the modern day overgeneralization of the word “autism.” Those diagnosed are put in one single category with no distinction between each specific case, ultimately preventing neurodivergent people from discovering their passions and contributing their unique perspectives to society.

The best way to approach this problem, says Grandin, is to understand the 3 most common types of thinkers: visual thinkers like herself, pattern thinkers, and word thinkers. If educators and employers consider these different types of minds, they can create environments that maximize each individual’s intellectual strengths. By embracing this diversity, we together can build a society where every person has access to success; where everyone has the education, employment, and lifestyles that will help them thrive.

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About Temple Grandin:

Dr. Temple Grandin is a renowned scientist, author, and advocate for individuals with autism and animal welfare. Grandin was diagnosed with autism at a young age, and despite facing significant challenges due to her condition, she persevered and went on to become one of the most prominent voices in the autism community.

Grandin's unique perspective as a person with autism has greatly influenced her work in animal science and husbandry. She is widely recognized for her innovations in the design of livestock handling facilities, which have revolutionized the industry by emphasizing the importance of humane treatment of animals. Her groundbreaking work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2010.

In addition to her contributions to animal welfare, Grandin is also an accomplished author, having written several books on animal behavior and her own experiences living with autism. Through her writing and public speaking engagements, she has become a leading advocate for individuals on the autism spectrum, promoting awareness, acceptance, and understanding of neurodiversity.

Grandin holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is currently a professor at Colorado State University. Her work continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, challenging stereotypes and championing the rights of both animals and people with autism.

[racecarrik]

She's probably the smartest, most genuine person they've had on. Everything she says is based off observation and logic, wonderful lady.

[sumtensor]

I am a theoretical physicist and I also have autism (and ADHD as well). What made Einstein such a great physicist was exactly that he was a very visual thinker. We was able to just close his eyes and just visualize the problem as thought experients and then eventually reach a conclusion. His icredible intuition and ability to visualize made him able to understand space and time itself as a 4 dimensional manifold which can be manipulated like a fabric. This very intuitive and visual approach later became an issue for him when quantum mechanics started being the main focus. He was not able to visualize quantum physics in the same way, since there is this inherent undeterministic property. He wasn't fond of the idea that there existed true randomness in the universe because he couldn't visualize it the same way, he famously stated "God does not play dice with the universe".
I myself am both a visual and pattern thinker. I see patterns everywhere that most people don't seem to notice, even when pointed out. I am also good at visualizing images. In high school when I was bored in class I would often just watch a movie in my head. My memories are also purely visual. I have a bit of synesthesia so I even remember songs and different conversations as intricate visual patterns or colours and emotions. This also makes me very good at detecting musical notes and scales and it's easier to compare two images than two sounds and I also play a lot of different instruments.

It's weird how different our brains are. A lot of the differences also seem to be discrete, which makes me wonder if it has something to do just with random mutations in the genes controlling neurological structure, or it is evolutionary and genetic. I also wonder if you can learn to think in a visual way if you're more of a verbal thinker and vice versa since the brain is so plastic. I am not a neurobiologist so I haven't the faintest idea, but definitely interesting to think about.

[Alex-jslg]

I remember marking a classmate's Asian geography exam in grade 7... he got 6% (3 of 50 countries or capitals). Not long after this, he explained to our science teacher how a four-stroke engine runs and what the different systems in a passenger car do (fan, coolant, air intake, fuel injectors, spark plugs, etc). That really opened my eyes and mind to the idea that intelligence doesn't always transfer across domains, and being intelligent =/= being informed.

[sophiaisabelle]

Autism has stigma around it. Everyone has divided opinions on it. But by the end of the day, autistic people are still people. But they kinda just see the world in different lenses.

[roel]

I've been diagnosed with ADD and social anxiety, and I COMPLETELY agree with the idea to change the standard procedure for job interviews. Let people try the job for just one week. It has pros for both parties. The boss sees if the person fits well enough with the job. And the worker gets a sniff of the work-place, see if he/she likes it. They may even learn new work-experience.

Obviously this doesn't just work everywhere. Some jobs are to risky to let random people try them. But I think this'll be possible for many small jobs.

Idk im tired and dont know what im typing anymore (sorry for bad englush😊

[TheFirstManticore]

It is recognized by many that late talkers are often just analytical thinkers. The majority grow up to be engineers or accountants; a significant number go into music. So if you have a 3-year-old who doesn't speak in sentences yet, but understands what you say and communicates pretty well nonverbally, there is no cause to worry.

[Pphh]

I'm an autistic woman looking for a job and getting rejected constantly in HR interviews for more than a year. This video gave me some hope

[fredaberyEPP]

Temple Grandin, along with many other exceptional and exceptionally talented neurodiverse folks is why I studied neuroscience 20 years ago. What a legend of education and research. Thanks for this interview- marvelous.

[soonny]

I'm a psychiatrist who works with many neurodivergent patients. I can say that they are a very diverse group with only certain features in common. The current school systems do not equip neurodiverse children to cope with a neurotypical world, wherein lies most of their struggles. I wish they would increase awareness among parents and teachers to help these individuals thrive, but those who see me in my clinic are burnt out from the demands of being with neurotypicals.

[zornslemon]

I’m a very visual thinker and a mathematician. It gives me a unique approach to problems, but it was difficult for me to get through the exams. Some professors thought I had a fresh unique take, and some thought I was an idiot. My first PhD supervisor kept telling me I couldn’t be a researcher because I didn’t have the talent, so I changed supervisors to one who was very supportive of my unorthodox approaches to problems and we published like crazy.

[KhevinMituti]

I love Temple. Every time she talks or writes I feel deeply connected to what she is saying. Such a beautiful and positive mind

[Sus_blues]

As an ABA therapist, I’ve realized I was autistic and my parents had no clue. I didn’t talk till 3 and hadn’t experienced “emotions” until now as. 25 year old.Luckily I picked up music and I taught myself how to play the guitar, drums and bass. I’ll be going into the IT field this year to finally give school another shot. I’ve realized as well how much I love learning!

[garrybrown]

Dr. Grandin, you are my hero. As a radiation oncologist I also think in pictures. I recall reading about you struggles and determination to learn going through an automatic door, a great metaphor. Your perseverance inspired me to keep taking the board exam, my "automatic door". Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[RechtmanDon]

Dr. Grandin, I'm a variant of the verbalizers: Born and raised in the USA, English is my second language; music is my first language! You see pictures; I hear music. Any object or thought or person I perceive has its own music, and I can improvise that music at the moment. I still have that silent spoken voice in my head, but I also have my music voice constantly speaking to me. When I attended an Aspie meeting, I asked if I should get a formal diagnosis. They asked me if I was gainfully employed, which I was at the time (a technical writer); they advised I avoid the formal diagnosis if I wished to keep my job. Consequently, my Asperger label is self-inflicted, but it complements my long history of behavioral traits. I wear it proudly.

[DomDomTheFirst]

I got my autistic and adhd diagnosis 2 years ago at the age of 35. Everything fell into place, it made sense. I've subsequently been 2 years sober and lost over 50 kg in weight! Best thing that ever happened to me, knowing who I was. I was called crazy as a child because I had visual thoughts and an internal monologue. So glad I know now 😊✌️

[q]

First time I've come across Temple Grandin - wow, what a great communicator, and thinker.

[Bvggerffpls]

I can relate to so many things described in this video. In particular, my struggle to overcome the hurdle of the traditional job interview. I fly through the psychometrics, and I have no issue with task based assessments.

The isuue is when someone asks me to "explain a time when you had had to do X, Y and Z". I become a stuttering mess. It's so frustrating because I am intelligent, I have two degrees, and I perform unusually well in other aspects of my life. I just can't seem to crack the performative ritual that is the competency-based interview. It feels like I've been locked out of society.

Thankfully, i managed to get some provisional offers on graduate schemes related to my field. This was after wasting a year working in a hotel.

[DonaldAMisc]

Labels are an EXPLANATION, not a DESTINATION. I was diagnosed with Asperger's in middle school, and I'm also critical of the DSM's oversimplification grouping Asperger's into Autism Spectrum Disorder. It muddies the water for the laymen distinguishing who needs lots of care and supervision from those like me who are independent, self sufficient, and live a happy life on their own. Most people don't guess my diagnosis unless I tell them! 😅

[carolsteve]

I've watched Dr. Grandin's career for years. No nonsense! Authentic! Good stuff! We need to do better; as parents, teachers, and people. Let's raise each other!😅❤🙏

[leaveitbetterthanyoufoundit]

Most of us can’t relate to being an autistic woman trying to implement a major change in the male dominated world of processing cattle for consumption in the 70’s. Her idea made it much more humane for the cattle. She is inspiration for all!