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Dr. Temple Grandin Visits CHC
Dr. Grandin inspires Bay Area families
On February 25, Children’s Health Council (CHC), in partnership with the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, welcomed renowned scientist, inventor, and autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin to the Bay Area for a two-day event celebrating neurodiversity, innovation, and inclusion.
Over 200 guests gathered at Stanford’s Hauck Auditorium for a special preview of An Open Door, an upcoming documentary about Dr. Grandin’s life and work. The film, slated for release in August 2025, explores Dr. Grandin’s trailblazing career in animal science, her advocacy for the humane treatment of livestock, and her pioneering voice in the autism and neurodiversity communities. Featuring interviews with Dr. Grandin, her colleagues, and the many individuals she has inspired, the film paints a moving portrait of a woman who refused to be defined by limits—and instead helped redefine what’s possible.
A Special Visit to CHC
The day after the screening, Dr. Grandin visited Children’s Health Council in Palo Alto and spoke to parents and community members about visual thinking. With her gift for demystifying science, Dr. Grandin spoke on cutting-edge research that’s being conducted about visual thinking. Visual thinkers constitute a far greater proportion of the population than previously believed, and a more varied one—from the photo-realistic “object visualizers” like Dr. Grandin herself, with their intuitive knack for design and problem solving, to the abstract, mathematically-inclined “visual-spatial” thinkers who excel in pattern recognition and systemic thinking.
Dr. Grandin also explained how a world increasingly geared to the verbal tends to sideline visual thinkers, screening them out at school and passing over them in the workplace. Rather than continuing to waste their singular gifts, driving a collective loss in productivity and innovation, Dr. Grandin proposes new approaches to educating, parenting, employing, and collaborating with visual thinkers. Dr. Grandin’s full presentation is available on YouTube.
A Morning with Temple Grandin
A Lasting Message
While at CHC, Dr. Grandin visited several classrooms at our Sand Hill School and Esther B. Clark Schools. Dr. Grandin encouraged the children to reach for their goals and not let their perceived ability stop them. When Dr. Grandin was a toddler, she was diagnosed with brain damage, and her family doctor recommended institutionalization, which was common advice during the time. Dr. Grandin’s mother refused to accept this suggestion and instead sought help from the world’s leading special needs researchers, who suggested she try speech therapy. Now Dr. Grandin is an academic, author, and inventor. None of this would have been possible without her pushing back against what others said.
PHOTO CAPTION HERE Megan celebrates earning her PhD from Stanford University
Dr. Grandin’s visit to CHC was more than just a special event—it was a moment of connection, validation, and hope. For many families raising neurodiverse children, seeing someone who has achieved so much despite early obstacles was incredibly moving.
At CHC, we believe in meeting every child where they are. Dr. Grandin’s message resonates deeply with our mission: supporting the whole child, under one roof, with care that’s personalized, evidence-based, and full of possibility.
We’re grateful to everyone who made this event possible and to all who attended. If you’re seeking support related to autism, CHC offers evaluations, therapy, parent support groups, and robust online resource library.
We look forward to hosting more conversations like this in the future—bringing the community together to learn, grow, and celebrate all kinds of minds.
