Basic HTML Version
16 Delta Living Magazine.com
ifferent, not less” are the words
Eustacia Cutler used to describe
her daughter Temple Grandin to
others, because it accurately defined
Temple as a person and not as an
autistic person, or what others might
disparagingly describe as geek or
nerd.
Born in 1947, Temple was diagnosed
with autism in 1950. She began
speaking at age four and credits her
mentors from primary school onward
in life for her achievements while
struggling with a high-functioning
autism, also known as Asperger
Syndrome.
Today at age 64, she’s an American
doctor of animal science, professor at
Colorado State University, bestselling
author and consultant to the livestock
industry on animal behavior. Temple
is also listed in the 2010
Times
Magazine
as one of the 100 most
influential people in the world in the
category, “Heroes.”
During a time when Asperger
Syndrome was not an actual
diagnosis, Temple’s diagnosis at age
three followed a dire prognosis from a
doctor who said she may never talk.
He recommended institutionalization.
Fortunately, her mother refused to
put her daughter away, and pushed
to have Temple immersed in normal
education as well as continued
education through college.
Different … Not Less
is also the title
of Temple’s latest book, due out in
April. It contains stories of 14 older
adults with Asperger’s or ADHD, who
have been employed all their lives,
and some have families. They tell
their own stories in their own words.
One of Temple’s many messages to
When LifeHandsYou aDisorder
Understanding those with Asperger Syndrome
by Charleen Earley
parents and teachers of autistic kids
involves accentuating their positive
traits and talents.
“Let’s work on building their
strengths,” said Temple, who cleaned
nine horse stalls every day at age 15.
“What’s going to happen when they
grow up and graduate, they’ll have no
job skills; such as showing up to work
on time.”
“We need to be teaching more job
skills and trades,” added Temple, also
author of
Developing Talents
, and
Thinking in Pictures
. “Right now we
need more diesel mechanics, certified
welders, chemical technicians, and
machinists.”
Hans Asperger, an Austrian
pediatrician, of whom Asperger
Syndrome was named, studied
children in his practice in 1944. He
observed kids who lacked non-verbal
communication skills, demonstrated
little to no empathy with their peers,
and who were physically clumsy.
As one of the autism spectrum
disorders, Asperger Syndrome (AS)
did not become standardized until
the early ‘90’s and odds are, if you
mention
the
disorder
Asperger
Syndrome
to a friend
or family
member,
more
than likely
they will
reply with,
“what’s
that?”
One thing about AS, is that the
disorder is considered high-
functioning autism and those with
it can appear as someone who is
awkward, uncaring, rude, shy or
distant.
Nancy Myers, LCSW, a licensed
psychotherapist since 1998 and in
the mental health field for 22
years, is
co-owner of Pinnacle Neurofeedback
in Pittsburg and Brentwood, and
gives a clear picture of what Asperger
Syndrome looks like on the outside.
“It’s a condition where individuals
have impairments in social interaction.
They have difficulty recognizing
social cues, emotional reciprocity,
and lack of interests or achievements
in other people. They tend to have
other problematic behaviors such as
over-focused interests and activities,
inability to be flexible or transition
appropriately, and have poor ability to
regulate emotions,” said Myers, who
is currently treating five patients, from
autistic spectrum disorders to AS.
Myers’ practice also includes work
with children and adults suffering
from social interaction difficulties
“D
Temple Grandin