Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Virtual world teaches life skills to people with autism

When Marcus Morris was a child, adults considered him incorrigible. Physicians incorrectly diagnosed him with multiple personality disorder, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

He grew up a ward of the state, unadoptable, and as an adult he blew through 68 jobs in 10 years, unable to earn a steady paycheck. He was void of self-worth.

Morris, now 32, eventually was diagnosed with autism, a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behavior.

He wanted to socialize with others but failed miserably and knew it. Read more at The Montana Standard.

Guardian Spirit Inc. is looking for 100 participants, age 17 and older, to enroll in the virtual training world for the fall semester. The target client is a person diagnosed as a high functioning individual with autism or Asperger's syndrome.


2 comments:

  1. This is Marcus Morris, the creator and founder of the GS Concept. I am happy to help anyone that needs me, and I am very easy to get in contact with! you can email me at marcus.morris@guardianauttie.com, or call me at 406 698 1679! You can also learn all about the original Guardian concept at www.guardianauttie.com

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  2. I had been reading Facebook profiles this morning. Just one more way to keep myself feeling connected, I suppose. I saw that someone had brought in a large sum of money for Autism Speaks. Seeing that posting floored me. I have to wonder, is a cure for being who I am really something to get excited about? I like who I am.

    Sure, I wear on people. Yes, I do have social issues and I do miss a lot. The reality is that being a high functioning autistic isn’t all bad. I am brilliant, and I am very gifted at creative problem solving. I have an honest streak about a mile long, and I am extremely loyal. I am also very in touch with my emotions. They are part of my decision making process.

    Do I need a cure? No, I don’t believe that I do. The idea of genetic screening in unborn children frightens me. Can your test pinpoint whether that autistic will be born low, mid, or high functioning? Can that test you hope to bring to market in the future give you any real idea of who that child you are carrying with autism will be as they grow? I have gotten into many interesting conversations at my local Toys-R-Us because I take umbrage at being asked for a dollar to fund Autism Speaks every time I check out.

    You are asking me to essentially fund the genocide of others like myself. I would never offer up a neuro-typical test that would enable autistic mothers to make “informed” choices regarding having a non autistic child. I don’t believe there is anything wrong with being born the way that I was. I believe with proper education and care that every person on the spectrum can achieve their own potential greatness and that seeing being autistic as a disability, or as a disease it belittles myself and many of those that I call my friends.

    Yes, I have held 68 jobs over ten years. Yes, I struggled in college all eight years. Yes, I have trouble with interpersonal relationships. Does that make me less than a worthwhile person? Does that make it impossible for me to have an amazing life?

    The answer, is no. I am 32 years old now. I have a beautiful wife whom I have been married to for ten years. I have two amazing sons, one is autistic like me… the other was born a neuro-typical. I love them both equally, although the high functioning auttie son is more adapt at getting under my skin. There is an amazing life on the spectrum and off of it. I just hope that someday everyone can see that as clearly as I do.

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