Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds

http://www.ted.com Autism activist Temple Grandin talks about how her mind works -- sharing her ability to "think in pictures," which helps her solve problems that neurotypical brains might miss. She makes the case that the world needs people on the autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and all kinds of smart geeky kids.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Temple
• Grandin
• TEDTalks
• TED
• talks
• autism
• spectrum
• autistic
• brain
• mind
• Asperger
• syndrome
• neuroscience
• visual
• verbal
• pattern
• thinking

[mojojornjorn]

The extent to which you find the Autism Spectrum person odd, remember they find you equally odd.

[Groth1175]

Ive always been suspicious of labeling things like Autism, ADD, Aspergers as syndromes or conditions, I agree the world needs all kinds of minds, so I see these labels as just different personality types not an illness.

[crudhousefull]

@wordsmither01 I'm sure she got into it for the humanity

[wordsmither01]

@crudhousefull So the world is going to stop eating meat? No? Then make sure that the animals that are slaughtered are slaughtered as humanely as possible. It makes simple sense. Y

[crudhousefull]

Great sentiments on training kids though, much respect on that

[crudhousefull]

I don't know what it was for other people, but this woman was born autistic due to karma for sure. Must've helped the mass slaughter of cattle even in her past life

[projectivemotion]

One of the best TED Talks.

[whoelse21]

@mojojornjorn yes, but we are the majority, and therefore we can define what is normal :-)

[snooki93]

@bobojr456 I have mild autism and I really don't consider anything wrong with me. yeah we all face challenges and obstacles through life but we can find a way to solve these problems, even by creative and logical ideas.

[Jilbo2001]

Thanks so much Temple you're an Inspiration. I loved the Movie, I'm glad you thought it was done well. My son was diagnosed with ASD at 2.5y/o. Now he's 5y/o. They tend to think he's more ADHD/Developmentally Delayed rather than ASD. But, I love that you have proved that it can be done and it shows in all your accomplishments and your seminars. Take care, Jill