Magi Klages is eight years old and autistic, and she has been a Girl Scout for two years. When the troop she was in was getting too large for her, her parents moved her to a smaller troop for disabled children.
She was kicked out on the first day for "causing a disturbance" when the children sat down for a group activity and Magi ran off, injuring herself. Magi's mother, who was present at the troop meeting, argues that she never endangered anyone but herself and that her child's behavior is normal for her when confronted with unfamiliar situations. The troop leader, who herself has a child with special needs, argues that Magi was scaring the four other girls, all of whom have physical disabilities.
Scouting claims a long tradition of tolerance. The Girl Scout Law emphasizes that Scouts are to be "honest and fair," and the Klages family as well as many local autism advocacy groups argue that this decision is anything but. They are currently searching for a new troop for their daughter.
Do you think it's worth having a segregated troop in the first place? What kind of message will it teach children?
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