ScenicView Academy was honored to welcome Dr. Temple Grandin, the renowned autism advocate, professor of animal science, and best-selling author, for a visit on December 16th and 17th, 2024. Dr. Grandin's groundbreaking work and personal insights into autism have inspired millions worldwide, and her visit marks an extraordinary collaboration opportunity for ScenicView Academy.
Dr. Grandin’s visit focused on the critical topic of employment for individuals on the autism spectrum. She shared strategies for success in the workplace and insights into how businesses can better support neurodiverse employees. She also toured ScenicView Academy and met with our leading-edge employment program. Her keynote address was titled “Work Changes Lives.”
“We were so thrilled to welcome Dr. Grandin to ScenicView,” said Marty Matheson, Executive Director of ScenicView Academy. “She is a hero and a mentor to many of our students and people worldwide. Her visit aligns perfectly with our mission to empower individuals with autism to achieve independent and fulfilling lives. Employment is a key factor in achieving this, and we enjoyed collaborating with her on ways we can best support this unique population.”
During her visit, she provided individualized attention to many students, getting to know them and eating and socializing with them. In return, our students provided her with a talent showcase they had been working on to share with her. Upon her leaving, Temple wrote on a poster the following final message for the students of ScenicView Academy: “High expectations, with some accommodations.”
ScenicView Academy provides educational, vocational, independent living, and therapeutic support to young adults with autism and other neurodiversities. Dr. Grandin’s visit underscores our commitment to fostering a community where all individuals can thrive and reach their full potential.
Dr. Temple Grandin has been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and is celebrated for her books, including Thinking in Pictures and The Autistic Brain. Her life story, depicted in the Emmy-winning HBO biopic Temple Grandin, continues to inspire people across the globe.
About ScenicView Academy:
ScenicView Academy is a private, nonprofit transitional school for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and learning disabilities. Located 15 minutes from the Sundance Resort in Provo, Utah, our mission is to help students obtain and maintain gainful employment, develop independent living skills, engage in meaningful social relationships and interactions, progress in their educational abilities, and understand and engage in productive leisure time.