autism and addiction, separately of course.

Temple Grandin, named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine and people today still do not know who she is and what she has done. She was diagnosed with autism in the 1950's where her mother was advised to put Temple into an institution. Against the wishes of "the world" her mother went on to raise her and Temple has overcome obstacles to go on and earn a bachelors of science in psychology, a masters and doctorate in animal science, a professor at Colorado State University and after her masters program created a new system to slaughter cows in a more humane way where now 50% of slaughter houses in the US use this system!...BUT that is not it, she went on to be a become a advocate for autism and understanding the way people with this disability think and better ways to teach them.

Last Wednesday I had an amazing opportunity to hear her speak at Idaho State University. I gained some super cool insight into how to help children with autism and the difficulties that they face. As everyone knows, this is what I do for a living, the chosen career path. I work with children and adults with developmental disabilities and create life skill programs to help them gain independence in their lives. I have thought so many times how much I would love to spend the day inside one of my clients heads, specifically a client with an autism spectrum disorder and Wednesday night was the closest I will ever come. So Temple, thank goodness you're so great and I was blessed enough to see you.

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE...Rent the Temple Grandin Movie by HBO. Claire Danes did excellent :)



....So issues of another sort. I have an addiction to Garden Veggie Crisps, so for anyone out there looking for a little healthier alternative to potato chips. They're wonderfully delightful.