Princeton Day School welcomed Temple Grandin to campus on Wednesday, January 21. Ms. Grandin is Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, an animal researcher, a bestselling author and an autism activist.

Her lecture to Upper School students and faculty included topics such as her work with animals, the evolution of the autism spectrum, the importance of studying outcomes when it comes to our education system, untapped future job opportunities (hint: learn how to code and study mechanics), and different ways of thinking.

“I think in pictures and, when I was younger, I thought everyone else did, too,” she said, illustrating a rubric for typifying the different ways that different people think, be it spatially or verbally, associatively or linearly. Ms. Grandin added that difference does not denote deficiency, noting that it is exactly these differences which lead to innovation. She gave several examples of successful ventures founded by people diagnosed with austism and ADHD, including IKEA and, arguably, much of Silicon Valley.

Ms. Grandin also stressed how exposure to different things is critical to success, especially for young people. “I learned about animals because I spent time on my aunt’s ranch growing up,” she said. “People often become good at what they are exposed to, so device-free, unstructured play time can open up a world of possibility.”