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The Suzanne and John Pratt Lecture Series is back.

Temple Grandin

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the Ivy Street School is pleased to announce the Suzanne and John Pratt Lecture will be returning on March 17, 2022, featuring Temple Grandin, Ph.D. Dr. Grandin will speak on a number of topics, including how different kinds of minds solve problems and how individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder can gain the skills they need to reach their full potential.

In case you missed it or would like to see the event again, here is the recording of the evening.


Temple Grandin Ph.D.

Temple Grandin is a world-renowned autism spokesperson and activist, doctor of animal science, inventor, professor, and bestselling author. She has a Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Illinois and is a professor at Colorado State University. She is the author of 12 books including national bestsellers Thinking in Pictures and Animals in Translation. Her new book, Navigating Autism: 9 Mindsets For Helping Kids on the Spectrum, contains empowering strategies for adults caring for children and young adults with autism. She was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. She also has a popular TED Talk and has been featured on NPR (National Public Radio) and a BBC Special – “The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow”. HBO made an Emmy Award-winning movie about her life and she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016.

About the Suzanne and John Pratt Lecture

Collage of an image of John Pratt and of his family

The Suzanne and John Pratt Lecture is dedicated to facilitating the impact of research on practices at the Ivy Street School in order to improve student outcomes.  John Pratt served as Associate Director of the Whitehead Institute for 25 years. He was also a member of the MAB Board of Directors and cared deeply about the work that MAB and Ivy Street School do to help young people with special needs develop the skills they need to transition into successful lives as adults. Suzanne Pratt is a  social worker, mother to 2, grandmother to 4, and loving wife to John until his death in 2012.  Since then Suzanne Pratt has played a significant role in launching and sustaining this lecture series. John would be delighted to have this lecture series as part of his legacy.

The Suzanne and John Pratt Lecture is dedicated to facilitating the impact of research on practices at the Ivy Street School in order to improve student outcomes.  John Pratt served as Associate Director of the Whitehead Institute for 25 years. He was also a member of the MAB Community Services Board of Directors and cared deeply about the work that MAB and Ivy Street School do to help young people with special needs develop the skills they need to transition into successful lives as adults.  John would be delighted to have this lecture series as part of his legacy.