How It All Started….
Agriculture!
Temple Grandin: A Pioneering Voice for Autism
The story of TideSpeak finds its roots in an agriculture class, where Christa first discovered the inspiring story of Dr. Temple Grandin. She was inspired by Grandin’s groundbreaking work in the livestock industry and her ability to use her unique way of thinking—shaped by autism—as a strength. Hearing Grandin’s story not only opened Christa’s eyes to the challenges faced by individuals with autism but also to their incredible potential.
Grandin is perhaps best known for her work in the design of animal handling systems, especially for livestock. One of her most famous inventions is the high-efficiency 180-degree round crowd pen for cows, which has revolutionized the way cattle are handled during the slaughter process.
This design is based on Grandin's understanding that cattle are more likely to move calmly when they can't see what's ahead of them, as they are prey animals and prefer to move in the direction of least resistance. She also considered factors like sightlines, sound, and light, and made sure the pens were built in a way that minimized stress for the cows. The results have been both practical and ethical, improving the efficiency of livestock handling and reducing stress and injury for the animals.
Temple Grandin’s work has had a lasting impact in the farming and slaughter industries, where her designs and principles are widely adopted to ensure more humane treatment of animals. Her ability to think visually and her profound empathy for animals have allowed her to develop solutions that others might have overlooked, both benefiting the animals and improving industry practices.
Grandin & Christa
Advocacy and Empowerment
The exposure Grandin’s work, planted a seed that would grow into a lifelong passion. Christa began exploring the world of autism beyond agriculture, gaining an understanding of the communication challenges and sensory experiences often faced by individuals on the spectrum. Inspired by Grandin’s ability to turn her differences into strengths, Christa decided to pursue a career where she could help others do the same. She became an advocate for individuals with autism, driven by a desire to help them express themselves, build confidence, and reach their full potential.
About the Owner
Christa Sisson, M.C.D., CCC-SLP
Christa began her career working with autistic individuals during her undergraduate years as a behavior therapy tech and as an academic tutor. She also worked with children needing various levels of support in a structured reading intervention clinic.
Christa received her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Integrated Studies K-6 (Elementary Education) from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She attended Murray State University as a post baccalaureate student for Communication Disorders and later received her Master of Communication Disorders (M.C.D.) at Arkansas State University.
Christa has traveled abroad and worked in private practices, neurology-based clinics, in client homes, and virtual telehealth for varied levels of support needs. She is passionate about ongoing education and has participated in the following certificate programs: ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S.) Approach to Feeding, Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider (CPR and AED), and PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.