Temple Grandin on different kinds of minds at 2013 ALA Annual Conference

CHICAGO —Temple Grandin-- diagnosed with autism at age 2 in 1949 and now one of the world’s most influential, accomplished and well known adults with autism - will inspire and inform 2013 ALA Annual Conference attendees as an Auditorium Speaker from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 30. From the “aspies” in Silicon Valley to the 5-year-old without language, Grandin understands the true meaning of the word spectrum. She is a best-selling author, doctor of animal science and autism activist who believes that “We need different kinds of minds to work together. People who are interested in things and people who are interested in concepts complement each others’ skills.”

Since she started writing and speaking about autism, the number of people diagnosed with it has skyrocketed—but so has the research that is transforming our understanding of the autistic brain. Attendees will find out at this program why a visual thinker like Grandin would never have put the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant emergency generators for cooling pumps in an area that could be flooded, or have sacrificed the stability of the Deepwater Horizon platform or placed a flammable lithium-ion battery in a tight metal box on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

In her new book, “The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum” (April, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), Grandin brings her singular perspective to a thrilling journey through the autism revolution, weaving her own experience with remarkable new discoveries. She also finds a route to more effective mainstreaming and a way to unleash the unique advantages of autistic people.

Grandin was recently named a Time magazine Top 100 Hero. Her four previous books include the national best-sellers “Thinking in Pictures” and “Animals in Translation.” She has a PhD in animal science from the University of Illinois, is a professor at Colorado State University and is a sought-after speaker whose work has been covered by The New York Times, People, National Public Radio and 20/20. “Most,” the HBO movie based on her life and starring Claire Danes, received seven Emmy Awards.

Grandin’s appearance at ALA Annual Conference is sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

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