Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. Dr. Grandin didn’t talk until she was three and a half years old, communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping, and humming. In 1950, she was diagnosed with autism and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. She tells her story of “groping her way from the far side of darkness” in her book Emergence: Labelled Autistic, a book which stunned the world because, until its publication, most professionals and parents assumed that an autism diagnosis was virtually a death sentence to achievement or productivity in life.

Dr. Grandin presently works as a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She also speaks around the world on both autism and cattle handling. Dr. Grandin’s current bestselling book on autism is The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s. She also authored Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships, Animals Make us Human, Animals in Translation, Thinking in Pictures, Emergence: Labelled Autistic and produced several DVDs.

Her fascinating life, with all its challenges and successes has been brought to the screen; HBO has produced the fulllength film Temple Grandin. The movie recently won 7 Awards at the 62nd Emmy Awards on Sunday August 29, 2010.

Temple Grandin’s work continues to inspire millions, and she has recently been named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world!

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Sue Mitchell

Sue Mitchell BScOT(C), brings enthusiasm and over 20 years of experience working as a pediatric Occupational Therapist. She has extensive knowledge and skills in working with children who have sensory processing challenges. She provides practical information and strategies to teachers, assistants and caregivers within both home and school settings. Sue has worked in a variety of settings in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, with children with a wide range of ages and developmental needs. Currently, Sue is the OT Program Coordinator at Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton.