Temple Grandin has long been a familiar name among people in the animal science and autism communities. With the release of HBO’s new feature-length documentary, “An Open Door,” on August 12, people around the world and in all walks of life now have the opportunity to learn about Grandin’s extraordinary life and unique contributions.
Directed by John Barnhardt and developed in partnership with Colorado State University, “An Open Door” is currently available for streaming on such platforms as Amazon, Apple TV, Kanopy, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and YouTube.
“An Open Door” chronicles Grandin’s life—from her childhood near Boston to her groundbreaking innovations in humane livestock handling, to her long and distinguished teaching career, to her accomplishments as an author, speaker and autism advocate.
Born in 1947, Grandin was diagnosed with autism at a time when little was known about the condition and stigma against people with disabilities was common. In fact, doctors initially recommended that her mother institutionalize Grandin. Fortunately, her mother ignored those doctors’ advice. Instead, Grandin’s mother made sure she was well cared for and that she received the support and educational opportunities she needed to reach her potential.
Nevertheless, life wasn’t always easy for Grandin. She faced challenges with social interaction, communication and sensory issues. She processed information visually instead of verbally, and this difference made schoolwork difficult. In time, though, Grandin’s superior ability to see patterns and notice details contributed to her professional success.
From an early age, Grandin was passionate about animals. She earned a Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Illinois and later became a professor at Colorado State University. Her most innovative work focused on livestock handling and welfare. Grandin had an uncanny ability to recognize how animals react to stress and she used this ability to design more humane systems for cattle handling. Nowadays, approximately half of the cattle in North America are handled in facilities built in accordance with Grandin’s designs.
Beyond her work in animal science, Temple Grandin has become a leading advocate for autism awareness and acceptance. Her books, including Thinking in Pictures and The Autistic Brain, encourage readers to see the value of neurodiverse thinkers in various settings. Her advocacy has helped to increase recognition of different learning styles, reduce stigma against individuals with disabilities, and promote inclusiveness in schools, workplaces, and communities.
So put “An Open Door” on your list of films to see this fall and learn about this remarkable woman.
