The Stevens Point campus of Mid-State Technical College. (Metro Wire photo)

Mid-State to host speaker on autism and animal behavior

Metro Wire Staff

STEVENS POINT — Mid-State Technical College will host Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned expert on autism and animal behavior, for a free public event on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

The presentation will take place at the Sentry Theater in Stevens Point from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Dr. Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, will discuss her research and insights on autism and animal behavior, focusing on diverse ways of thinking and strategies to support individuals with autism. She will also address stigmas surrounding autism and offer guidance for educators and peers working with students on the spectrum.

Community members are encouraged to attend. Advanced registration is recommended, although on-site registration will be available if space allows.

In the week leading up to the event, Mid-State will offer a free screening of the Emmy Award-winning film Temple Grandin, which chronicles her life and groundbreaking work in animal science. Screenings and discussions are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11, from noon to 2 p.m. at the college’s Marshfield, Stevens Point Downtown, and Wisconsin Rapids campuses. Registration is not required for the movie screenings.

Dr. Grandin has built an illustrious career as a consultant on livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare. She has been featured on National Public Radio, a BBC special titled The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow, and national programs such as Larry King Live, 20/20, and Sixty Minutes. Her 2010 TED Talk remains widely acclaimed. Articles about her work have appeared in Time, The New York Times, Discover Magazine, Forbes, and USA Today. In 2016, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

For more information and to register for the Feb. 18 event, visit mstc.edu/temple-grandin.