Temple Grandin (Claire Danes) is a young woman when she first visits the ranch of her Aunt Anne (Catherine O'Hara). She is very interested in animals because she feels as though they think like her, and it is here that she begins her journey towards animal rights and autism advocacy. As a young child she learned she was autistic and needs help to calm herself in certain situations, her mother Eustacia (Julia Ormond) helps her with this issue. During her career in advocacy Professor Carlock (David Straitharn), one of her college professors, helped her achieve success despite her difficulties and mentored her through much of her career.