Dr. Temple Grandin
Renowned autism advocate and scientist Dr. Temple Grandin will visit two Northeast Arkansas schools this week as part of a two-day tour tied to an autism awareness program at Arkansas State University.
Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, will speak with students at the Izard County Consolidated School’s STEM program and at Sloan Hendrix School in Imboden on Nov. 21. The visits follow her appearance at ASU’s “Autism: The Way I See It” event on Nov. 20, where she will deliver the keynote address. Grandin is also a best-selling author. The HBO film, Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes as Grandin, was released to acclaim in 2010. The movie followed Grandin’s journey as she worked to design more humane handling of livestock while also battling the social stigma of autism at a time when it was misunderstood.
The program, hosted by ASU’s College of Agriculture, also features local advocate Briar Miller as the opening speaker. Diagnosed with moderate to severe autism early in childhood, Miller has testified before state leaders on how applied behavior analysis therapy shaped his development. He now works at St. Bernards Medical Center and holds degrees from Lyon College and NYITCOM at Arkansas State.
Event organizer Dayna Miller-Black, Miller’s mother, told Jonesboro Right Now that Grandin’s school visits will offer students encouragement and real-world insight into agriculture, science and neurodiversity. She said the program aims to blend autism awareness with agricultural education.
The Nov. 20 event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Reng Student Union Auditorium, 101 N. Caraway Road, following a 5:30 p.m. door opening. Registration is $64.95 (click here) through Nov. 19, with a free morning session for FFA students supported by donors.
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