What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool? You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done! When it comes to solving problems, the skill sets people bring to the table are rooted in three different forms of cognition: photo realistic or visual thinking, pattern mathematical, and word verbal thinking. When projects are being designed, people with different ways of thinking have complementary skills.

Drawing on her own extraordinary life experiences, Dr. Grandin will discuss the challenges and opportunities for people like herself on the autism spectrum who think in pictures, championing the cause of neurodiversity: that the world needs all kinds of minds!

For our full fall line-up of speakers this semester, check out the PLS homepage.