Autistic Advocacy: The Trouble with Temple Grandin

Temple’s childhood diagnosis of “brain damage” in the 1950s and how her privileged upbringing gave her unique opportunities to succeed.

Her rise to prominence as an animal science PhD, prolific author, and sought-after speaker at autism conferences—making her the most famously Autistic person alive.

The double-edged impact of her messaging: advocating for masking to fit in, promoting “high functioning vs. low functioning” distinctions, and aligning with capitalist and ableist values.

Why many in the Autistic community see her views as harmful, particularly her support for ABA and eugenics-based ideas.

The positive contributions she made, such as raising awareness of sensory differences and influencing deinstitutionalization.

The larger conversation of privilege, representation, and how colonialist narratives shape cultural icons.