Outreach

Autism expert featured on 'Conversations with Penn State' on Feb. 8

Temple Grandin, New York Times best selling author and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, will talk about her groundbreaking work and experiences with autism on the next episode of “Conversations from Penn State." The show will air at 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 on the Big Ten Network, and again at 9 p.m. on Feb. 18 on WPSU-TV. Grandin is an internationally renowned advocate for people with autism and for the humane treatment of animals.

"I think in pictures. Words are like a second language to me. I translate both spoken and written words into full-color movies, complete with sound, which run like a VCR tape in my head," Grandin said in her book, "Thinking in Pictures." "When somebody speaks to me, his words are instantly translated into pictures. Language-based thinkers often find this phenomenon difficult to understand, but in my job as an equipment designer for the livestock industry, visual thinking is a tremendous advantage."

"Conversations from Penn State" is a series hosted by veteran interviewer Patty Satalia. The program offers thoughtful, in-depth exchanges with a broad range of remarkable people. In many cases, their trailblazing work has advanced their field and drawn national and worldwide attention.

The show will air on the Big Ten Network at 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8.  It also will air on WPSU-TV at 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18. The show also can be viewed at http://conversations.psu.edu online.

Grandin has written hundreds of publications for the livestock industry on topics ranging from technical planning to animal handling, and has designed equipment that is used in meat plants for cattle handling. Grandin’s book, "Animals in Translation," was a New York Times best seller, and "Livestock Handling and Transport" is in its third edition. Grandin also continues to promote better activities and schooling for children with autism.

For more than 20 years, Patty Satalia has engaged dynamic individuals from all walks of life and areas of expertise. No matter the guest, Satalia approaches each conversation with the same dedication to research and with a passion for helping people share their stories and insights with the world.

WPSU serves central Pennsylvania with programming, educational services and community outreach. Its public media services produce, acquire and distribute programs that address local interests and reflect the diverse cultural, political, geographic and demographic characteristics of an audience within central Pennsylvania.

Last Updated February 8, 2010

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