Bismarck-Mandan is in for a real treat, as one of the world's most fascinating people is visiting the area on January 14. Dr. Temple Grandin is the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world and has largely been credited with revolutionizing modern methods of livestock handling to improve animal welfare and productivity. She will be sharing her knowledge at Mandan Middle School (2901 12th Ave NW) on Tuesday, January 14 at 7:30pm.

Dr. Grandin didn't speak until she was three-and-a-half years old, communicating instead by screaming, peeping and humming. She was diagnosed with autism in 1950, and doctors recommended she be institutionalized, since at the time, an autism diagnosis was considered a virtual death sentence to productivity and achievement. It wasn't until her book, Emergence: Labeled Autistic was published that the outlook of autism changed dramatically.

Now, Dr. Grandin is an accomplished author, speaker and advocate. She is currently a professor of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University and has been credited with revolutionizing food-animal welfare with her insights into animal behavior and innovations into livestock handling.

People feed, shelter, and breed cattle and hogs, and in return the animals provide food and clothing. We must never abuse them, because that would break an ancient contract. We owe it to animals to give them decent living conditions and a painless death.

Dr. Grandin was listed on the Time 100 in 2010, Time Magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Her life story was the subject of the acclaimed 2010 HBO biopic, "Temple Grandin" starring Claire Danes, and was the winner of seven Emmy awards as well as a Golden Globe. She has been featured in People Magazine, the New York Times, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, Time Magazine, the New York Times book review, and Discover magazine, as well as a number of major television programs, including 60 minutes, 20/20, The Today Show, Larry King Live and countless others.

Dr. Grandin is truly one of the most fascinating and inspiring stories you will ever hear about. Please come out on Tuesday, January 14 at 7:30pm to Mandan Middle School to listen to her speak on autism. This is a FREE event, but seating will be limited, so make sure to arrive early.

For more information, call the NDSU Extension Service of Morton County at 701-667-3340.

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