The Autism News | English


Temple Grandin — the doctor of animal science/best-selling author and expert on autism and inspiration for the HBO movie that bears her name — will be in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 3, to accept the Peek Award for Disability in Media.

The new award, which will be presented at 7 p.m. at the Rose Wagner Theatre, honors a subject, director or actor in a film that sheds new light on disabilities and heightens social awareness. It’s named in honor of Utahn Kim Peek (1951-2009), who worked to increase awareness of disability through the media and improve education for children with disabilities. Peek helped inspire Dustin Hoffman’s savant character in “Rain Man.”

Grandin, who has high-functioning autism, has been a longtime advocate for autistic children. Her profile was raised considerably with the premiere of “Temple Grandin” on HBO last year. The telefilm won seven Emmys, including best TV movie and best actress in a TV movie for Claire Danes.

“The thing about autism is as you learn more and more and more, you keep getting less and less autistic-like,” Grandin said shortly before the movie aired on HBO. “You keep getting better and better. People tell me my talks today at 60 are better than my talks at age 50.

The Salt Lake Tribune – Lifestyle

Please share your reaction! Give your opinion by filling out the form below.

Share this news with friends, family, or colleagues by clicking on the shortcuts below: