Temple Grandin (2010)
Watching the movie Temple Grandin (2010) was an eye opening experience, not just because of its portrayal of autism but because of how it redefines intelligence, creativity, and perseverance. The film tells the true story of Temple Grandin, a woman who, despite the challenges of growing up autistic in a world that didn’t understand her, became a groundbreaking scientist and advocate for neurodiversity.
One of the things that stood out to me was how the movie visualized Temple’s thought process. She doesn’t think in words, she thinks in pictures. The film brilliantly brings this to life through rapid flashes of images, detailed mental blueprints, and real-time problem-solving. Instead of seeing her thinking style as a limitation, it becomes clear that it’s her greatest strength. It allows her to revolutionize livestock handling, designing systems that are more humane and efficient, simply because she sees the world in a way others don’t.
There’s a moment in the movie where someone tells her she’s “different, not less.” That really stuck with me. Too often, autistic individuals are defined by what they struggle with rather than what they excel at. Temple’s story flips that narrative, her way of thinking isn’t wrong, it’s just different. And that difference leads to innovation.
Another aspect that hit me was the role of the people around her. Her mother, a professor, and a science teacher all saw her potential and pushed her to succeed, even when society was ready to give up on her. It made me think about how much impact the right support system can have. How many children are out there with minds full of potential but never get the chance to develop it because the world isn’t built for them?
This directly connects to my research. The film reinforced the idea that education shouldn’t be about forcing kids into a one-size-fits-all mold. It should be about meeting them where they are, recognizing their unique strengths, and giving them the tools to succeed. Whether that means using more visual aids, creating interactive experiences, or simply allowing for different ways of processing information, the goal should always be to include, not just accommodate.
