30 Oct, 2007
Temple Grandin’s Hug Machine
Posted by teacherjulie @ 6:57 am
Shelved under Autism, behavior modification, Bits and Pieces, Challenge Yourself, Lessons in Life, special education

One of the more apparent “symptoms” or signs of children with autism is their inability to “appreciate” a hug. They are not particularly fond of hugs. There was one video I saw several years back that showed a person diagnosed with autism early on who explained how she felt when someone tries to give her a hug and her explanation was something like this: “It felt like there is a big ocean wave coming at me and i am being swept and lost in it.”

Hugs are one of the ways people show they care. But for those diagnosed with autism, hugs can be very overwhelming. Temple Grandin, Ph.D. has high functioning autism. She is a well-known humane livestock facility designer and college professor.

She developed a machine called “hug machine” designed to calm and reduce the anxiety of children and adults with autism. Very intriguing since they do not particularly love being hugged. They even feel anxious when hugged. How does this work then?

These articles would be helpful: hug machine and Autism.Org.

These videos too would be helpful.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 6:57 am and is filed under Autism, behavior modification, Bits and Pieces, Challenge Yourself, Lessons in Life, special education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Permalink | 5 Comments
30 Oct, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
rhodora said:

Perhaps one reason why they are not fond of hugs is because they are withdrawn from others and somewhat “have a world of their own”.

I believe one of the ways to modify autism is to continually pour love, understanding and warmth on the person. This may help instill and develop in them the ability to relate with other people.

  • True, Rhoda, they have a “world of their own”. Plus they also have sensitive feelings like being averted to certain sounds or certain sensations and at the same time, being attached to some sensations. One example would be to enjoy a TV commercial but cover their ears at one point during the commercial because they find a certain sound too overwhelming. Theirs is a “world” people would have a difficult time understanding. But yes, love, understanding and warmth plus a whole lot of patience would do them a lot of good. Thanks :)

30 Oct, 2007 @ 5:51 pm
arlene said:

hi teacher Juilie,

got this for you!
http://sunshineforlife.wordpress.com/2007/10/30/my-blog-is-a-friendly-site/

your blog deserves this. :)

  • Thanks, Arlene, for thinking about my blog and me. Now, I have to make sure na pangangatawanan ko yan, :D

15 May, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
Micamyx said:

Hello Teacher Julie,

Last year, Tita Rhodora recommended your site to me. I shouldv’t visited way back pa. I can attest to the testimonials about autism here because of my brother’s condition. I am now planning to browse through your autism-related posts and write an entry about it on my missing carlo blog :)

thank you teacher julie :)

18 May, 2008 @ 6:57 am
julie said:

Mica, thank you. I work with children with different special needs though most of them are mainstreamed in regular schools.

I have seen your Missing Carlo blog and I was so touched by your love and care to your brother. I hope he gets the best intervention facilities abroad.

thanks for the visit :)

30 Aug, 2010 @ 11:13 pm
teacherjulie.com » Congratulations Temple Grandin said:

[...] this extra-ordinary woman named Temple Grandin has definitely captured the hearts of many families and individuals who are looking for hope for [...]

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