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AUTISM
To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio
Most of us think in words, but not Temple Grandin.
She thinks in pictures. Grandin is autistic, and visual thinking
is common among people with autism. In this hour of To the Best
of Our Knowledge, Temple Grandin talks about how thinking in
pictures has helped her help animals. Also, Mark Haddon talks about
his novel written in the voice of a 15-year-old autistic savant
named Christopher.
SEGMENT 1:
Temple Grandin is an associate professor
of animal science at Colorado State University. Grandin has autism,
is the author of "Thinking in Pictures and Other Reports
from My Life With Autism," and designs livestock-handling
facilities. She talks with Jim Fleming about how her autism helps
her in her career. Also, Catherine Lord is Director of
the University of Michigan Autism and Communications Disorders
Center. Dr. Lord tells Anne Strainchamps that there is a ten-fold
reported rise in the incidence of autism but no one knows what
accounts for the dramatic rise. Or even whether it's more case
or just more cases being reported.
SEGMENT 2:
J.J. Hanley produced a film called "Refrigerator
Mothers." This was the label wrongly applied to mothers who
were falsely believed to have caused their children's autism.
Maria Mombille was such a mother. She tells Jim Fleming her story,
which is hauntingly echoed by J.J. Hanley. Also, Allen Snyder
is Director of the Centre
for the Mind in Canberra, Australia. He tells Steve Paulson
that he uses a device called the Medtronic Mag Pro to stimulate
autistic-savant-like abilities in normal people. The goal is to
understand human capabilities and perhaps improve them.
SEGMENT 3:
Mark Haddon is the author of "The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time." Haddon narrates the
story from the point of view of his hero- a fifteen year old boy
with Asperger Syndrome. Haddon reads from the book and talks with
Jim Fleming abut the special challenges his main character presented.
Asperger Syndrome patients are autistic, have normal intelligence
but particular gifts in specialized areas.
Cassette copies are available
at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 03-08-31-A.
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Books:
- Temple Grandin, Thinking
in Pictures: And Other Reports from My Life With Autism (Vintage)
- Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the
Dog in the Night-Time (Doubleday)
Music:
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-- "Have A Little Faith In Me"/John Hiatt
from the CD, "Bring The Family" (A&M Records)
-- "Last Dance"/Sarah McLachlan
from the CD, "Surfacing" (Nettwerk)
-- "Good Mother"/Jann Arden
from the CD, "Living Under June" (A&M Records)
-- "FYT"/This Mortal Coil
from the CD, "It'll End In Tears" (4AD)
-- "Private Universe"/Crowded House
from the CD, "Together Alone" (Capitol)
WEBSITES:
Distribution dates:
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Questions and comments can
be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org
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