PLEASE SHARE IF YOU ARE INSPIRED BY THIS STORY! (Send us your
opinion today: How can science and engineering make life better
for persons with autism and other learning and physical
challenges? Let us know what you think of Temple’s achievements
in the face of autism!) Because of autism, Temple Grandin was
not able to talk until she was 3 ½, and for a time experts
recommended that she be institutionalized. Speaking of her
childhood experience, she recalls: “Junior high was a real mess
for me and then came puberty. My anxiety attacks came during
puberty, and then all of my nerves started [acting out].” With
guidance and mentoring, however, she learned how to transform
these challenges into functioning effectively each day — all
which later helped fuel her determination as an innovator in
animal science. Why She’s Important: Temple is one of the
world’s few designers of livestock handling equipment and
facilities. Her innovations have resulted in greater insight
into animal behavior as well as much-needed impro