Temple Grandin’s talk at TED 2010.
by Dr. Arthur S. Seiderman
July, 2011
Published at www.lancasteronline.com
I know that all children are different, but——. How many times have you heard that statement/ How many times have I heard that statement? ” I know that I shouldn’t compare Johnny to Billy, but———.” The truth of the matter is that most parents just pay ” lip service ” to that important concept. They understand, but they don’t understand!
Perhaps, THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM is the great teacher for us all. The HBO movie, TEMPLE GRANDIN, starring Claire Danes, is must viewing for ALL parents (not just parents of autistic children). Why? Because it demonstrates how we are all different. Granted the behaviors of the autistic individual are more exaggerated than most. However, if you understand those differences, the application to parenting and working with children become clearer. The movie shows how a mother, aunt, and Science teacher enable Temple Grandin ( an autistic child ) to learn and channel her strengths into an extraordinary success story. The picture painted is of a young woman’s perseverance and struggle with autism at a time when it was relatively unknown ( 1960′s ). This is must viewing for parents. Obviously for parents of autistic children. Why, then, for parents of children who are not autistic? Good question—-because it demonstrates so very nicely good parenting and teaching skills. Parenting is, in my opinion, the second most difficult task we face in our lifetime. Yet, there is no course in our schooling that addresses this task. We are, all, on our own. Most of us take parenting for granted. We assume we know how to be a good parent. The movie and Temple Grandin’s life experience shows us how this can be accomplished. And, if you give it some thought, how it can be transferred to all children. Maybe a second viewing of the film is in order. Or, possibly, a group viewing with several sets of parents, followed by a discussion of the movie by those attending. Believe me, it is a worthwhile exercise.
An example of one of the very significant differences in Dr. Grandin’s behavior is that she sees things and thinks in pictures. Thus, the titles of two of the books she has written are, THE WAY I SEE IT, and THINKING IN PICTURES. Grandin states, ” The best thing a parent of a newly diagnosed child can do is to watch their child, without preconceived notions and judgements, and learn how the child functions, acts, and reacts to his or her world.”
Wouldn’t you say that is also good advice for any parent? Good teachers (and parents) understand that for a child to learn, the teaching style must match the students learning style. The different thinking patterns of children with ASD require parents and educators to teach from a new frame of reference, one that matches the child’s learning style. Teachers who expect the autistic child to fit into the traditional social behaviors and lesson plan, only frustrate the child, their classmates, and the teacher. Can this not be said about all children? I think so! How we find the child’s area is detailed in Grandin’s book THE WAY I SEE IT.
And, what can we learn from this extraordinary woman? We’ve got a lot to learn about parenting and teaching ALL children. Hopefully this article has initiated your thoughts on the subject and raised lots of questions.
Dr. Grandin says, ” The worst thing you can do is nothing. ”
