Alright – so, Minnesota Autism Center (MAC) is arguably the largest autism therapy provider in Minnesota. MAC serves hundreds of children with autism and their families. Kathryn Marshall who has a child with autism has been their face since inception. MAC was families for effective autism treatment (FEAT) before it became MAC. Then there was that falling out with what later become Lovaas. Well you know the story if you are in the autism community. I have blogged and blogged about MAC for many years and had a love/hate relationship with them. I loved what they did for many autism children and families yet hated how many autism families including me were treated by them.
I remember the last time MAC discharged my child without reason or even notice, I told Ms. Marshall and Ron Carey to consider me a permanent hemorrhoids and that I would advocate against their bullying tactics against autism families until it was no more. In fact, after they discharged my kid suddenly and for no good reason, Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a corrective action against them and told them they were in violation of Minnesota statutes that protects children with disabilities under children’s therapeutic support services (CTSS). DHS also told MAC that they could no longer just discharge children from their medically necessary treatments, and that MAC had to involve the parent and report how many children they discharged to DHS. According to DHS records MAC has discharged 20 children in 2016 and 40 children in 2017.
Say what you want about Ms. Marshall and I clearly was not a big fan, but no one can argue that she shaped the landscape of autism therapy in Minnesota. MAC is the only agency that served children from Minneapolis to Rochester to Mankato to Duluth. She built state of the art facilities for kids on the spectrum that would put a Hilton hotel at the bottom. Yes, I know she bullied families and even some staff but in the interest of giving credit where credit is due – Ms. Marshall was unique and tough.
There is a lot of rumors going around in how she departed from MAC, some stating she was fired, some stating there was fraud with DHS and some stating MAC’s board finally just had it. Whatever the case, I thank her for what she did that was good for our kiddos with autism.
Above words do not reflect any agency, committee or candidate.
Idil – Autism Mom