Temple Grandin, a professor at Colorado State University, is a doctor and professor in animal science, a writer, and is also autistic. But although Autism causes many problems, in her case, it has helped her to be able to understand animals on a level that is beyond the norm. As she puts it, "I think in pictures, not words" which is the same way that animals think, she claims. Her ability to connect with animals on such a unique level has led her to improve slaughter houses so that they are a less stressful place for the animals, and also, after observing that a cow would become calmer once it was in a squeeze chute, she invented a squeeze machine to treat people with autism. "Therapists have found that deep presure over large areas of the nervous system help relieve anxiety when the nervous system is all hyped up" says Temple. I think this is true for not only individuals with autism, but with others as well. Anyone who has experienced a hug would know what I'm talking about. Grandin's life gives people with autism and other conditions hope that although they are dibilitated in some areas of life, that is no reason that they can't excel in others.
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