The Marcus Autism Center has a bunch of fluffy PR videos on YouTube. Let's take a look at one.
Here Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus takes time out from his busy schedule whining and bitching about federal regulations and unions (workers voted against unionizing the Home Depot because they knew that unions would prevent parking lot cart pushers from becoming the company vice president) to talk about the Marcus Autism Center which is, of course, named after his wallet.
Bernie mentions two things that raise eyebrows. One, his question about how do you know when someone who is nonverbal is suffering or in pain. His answer: SPECIALISTS!
Hmmm. Specialized in what exactly? Because the specialists you get at the Marcus Center are specialized in behaviorism, which is, by its own definition, a field completely unconcerned about what goes on inside the mind. I can use modified Skinnerian techniques to train my dog to fetch but it's not going to be that much of an aid in helping me figure out why Fluffy's feeling sad.
Second, Bernie says that Marcus has, over the course of its existence helped over 40,000 kids.("And Growing!") Wow. So if even a tiny percentage of those kids who are not adults are willing to pay back Marcus for the great treatment they've received then the Marcus Center should be able to brings hundreds of adultautistics to testify on the center's behalf.
Except, these adults are unknown to anyone at Marcus I've asked on the subject including Don Mueller.
Let this miniscule or completely nonexistent set be the real testimonial for the Marcus Autism Center.
By the way, low level Marcus employees. You need a union.
No comments:
Post a Comment