Independent Minds
7:00pm
Unable to speak until age four and diagnosed with autism in the 1950s, Temple Grandin went on to defy expectations as a renowned author, activist and expert in humane livestock design. Host David D’Arcy takes listeners on a journey into the mind of this self-described ‘anthropologist on Mars.’ Temple Grandin’s own voice guides this radio hour, as she is joined by her friend, photographer Rosalie Winard, and collaborator, the animal scientist Mark Deesing. Professor Simon Baron-Cohen and Dr. Catherine Johnson dissect the neurology of Grandin’s mind. Musician Pete Townsend pioneers music therapy with The Who’s Tommy, and actress Claire Danes addresses the challenges of portraying autism in the upcoming HBO biography of Grandin. Through these voices, we see how Grandin conquered her condition and startled the world with her unique perspective and frank public discourse.
