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Language just gradually came in, one or two stressed words a time. Before then, I would just scream. I couldn't talk. I couldn't get my words out. So the only way I could tell someone what I wanted was to scream. If I didn't want to wear a hat, the only way I knew to communicate was screaming and throwing it on the floor.
Temple Grandin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the struggle of early communication and the transition from primal expressions to structured language.

Temple Grandin's quote reflects on her personal experience with communication difficulties, illustrating how she initially expressed herself through screaming before developing the ability to use language. This highlights the complexity and gradual process of learning to communicate effectively, as well as the challenges faced by those with difficulties in verbal expression.

Themes

CommunicationLanguageExpressionStruggleScreaming

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared in a workshop on communication skills to emphasize the importance of developing effective language.

More from Temple Grandin

Some teachers just have a knack for working with autistic children. Other teachers do not have it.
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If you have a 2 or 3 year old who is not talking, you must start an early intervention program. The worst thing you can do with an autistic 3 year old is to do nothing.
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I strongly recommend that students with autism get involved in special interest clubs in some of the areas they naturally excel at. Being with people who share your interests makes socializing easier.
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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.
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I don’t want my thoughts to die with me, I want to have done something. I’m not interested in power, or piles of money. I want to leave something behind. I want to make a positive contribution - know that my life has meaning.
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I think that autistic brains tend to be specialized brains. Autistic people tend to be less social. It takes a ton of processor space in the brain to have all the social circuits.
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