Let Them Work: Temple Grandin on Real Healing for Autism & Anxiety

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Equine Assisted World with Rupert Isaacson

Rupert Isaacson

43 episodes

5 days ago

Here on Equine Assisted World. We look at the cutting edge and the best practices currently being developed and, established in the equine assisted field. This can be psychological, this can be neuropsych, this can be physical, this can be all of the conditions that human beings have that these lovely equines, these beautiful horses that we work with, help us with. Your Host is New York Times bestselling author Rupert Isaacson. Long time human rights activist, Rupert helped a group of Bushmen in the Kalahari fight for their ancestral lands. He's probably best known for his autism advocacy work following the publication of his bestselling book "The Horse Boy" and "The Long Ride Home" where he tells the story of finding healing for his autistic son. Subsequently he founded New Trails Learning Systems an approach for addressing neuro-psychiatric conditions through horses, movement and nature. The methods are now used around the world in therapeutic riding program, therapy offices and schools for special needs and neuro-typical children. You can find details of all our programs and shows on www.RupertIsaacson.com.

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Let Them Work: Temple Grandin on Real Healing for Autism & Anxiety | Ep 34 Equine Assisted World

Equine Assisted World with Rupert Isaacson

1 hour 44 minutes

3 months ago

Let Them Work: Temple Grandin on Real Healing for Autism & Anxiety | Ep 34 Equine Assisted World

In this essential episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson sits down with Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the world’s most influential voices on autism, sensory processing, and practical approaches to learning and healing. Together, they explore how therapeutic riding centers can do more than just offer horse time—they can create whole environments of sensory safety, meaningful skill-building, and community resilience.

Dr. Grandin shares her personal experiences growing up autistic, her early fears and breakthroughs, and the real-life tools that helped her thrive—tools that every equine program can apply. From using turn-taking games to stimulate speech to setting up repair shops and greeter stations to build confidence and career readiness, this episode is a blueprint for any equine-assisted center aiming to have deeper impact.

If you want to support the show, you can do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LongRideHome

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The Power of Observation & Following the Child (Starts at 01:00)

How Rupert adapted Temple's three-step approach to help his nonverbal son
Why nature and movement are essential for sensory integration

Equine Interaction & Sensory Patterns (Starts at 04:00)

The three ways autistic kids respond to animals
What PET scans and OTs show about rhythm, balance, and the cerebellum
Why nature and gardens still matter even without horses

Early Intervention with Church Play & Library Play (Starts at 07:00)

Why many children can't afford to be on waitlists
Turn-taking games and imitation as entry points
How to tap into local retirees to fill gaps in early intervention

Theory of Mind & Naturalistic Learning (Starts at 08:30)

Flapping, spinning coins, and making daisy chains as foundational social engagement
How structured tasks lead to intellectual development

High Expectations with Support (Starts at 14:00)

Accommodating without overprotecting: ferry horns and dessert rules
Why selling candy and hosting parties mattered for both Temple and Bill Gates

Practical Skills, Tools & Trades (Starts at 20:00)

From coat hangers to glue guns: the neuroscience of hands-on learning
How fixing things builds brains and self-worth

Rebuilding the Workshop Culture (Starts at 28:00)

Why shop class should return to therapeutic barns
Visual thinkers vs. math thinkers: all kinds of brains need tactile training
Using retired mechanics, carpenters, and engineers as mentors

Structured Responsibility Around the Barn (Starts at 34:00)

Real tasks: mucking, grooming, feeding, building stalls
How responsibility leads to confidence and safety awareness

Social Skills Training through Greeting & Selling (Starts at 43:00)

Simulating cookie sales, greeter roles, and party host behavior
Controlled exposure to rejection and resilience building

Job Skills, Routine & Community Integration (Starts at 51:00)

Creating modern equivalents of paper routes with local volunteers
Why non-family bosses matter for skill-building
Tap into senior centers to address budget shortfalls

The Cost of Screen Time & the Value of Movement (Starts at 54:00)

How too much tech stunts development
What real-world vestibular tasks do for brain growth

Cognitive, Motor & Emotional Growth Through Challenge (Starts at 59:00)

The science behind tool use, play, and heavy work
Balancing boards, swings, and walking rails in arenas and homes

Medication, Anxiety & Exercise (Starts at 67:00)

Temple's 40-year experience with antidepressants
Why burst exercise helps more than walking
How low-dose meds plus movement can regulate fear systems

🌟 Memorable Moments from the Episode:

Temple's method for helping kids tolerate scary noises like vacuum cleaners (01:34:00)
How she visualizes responsibility: "Put the lid down and turn the latch." (01:36:22)
Why greeting guests at parties was as important as riding horses (01:37:38)
Temple's go-to back pain trick: "Look at the ceiling beams." (01:05:00)

🤝 Connect with Dr. Temple Grandin: Website: https://www.templegrandin.com Books: Thinking in Pictures, Visual Thinking, The Autistic Brain, and more

🌐 See All of Rupert’s Programs and Shows:
Rupert Isaacson: https://rupertisaacson.com
Equine-Assisted Programs: https://newtrailslearning.com

📲 Follow Us: Long Ride Home
Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh
Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehome

New Trails Learning Systems
Website: https://ntls.co
Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld
Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld
YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems

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