Autistic Girl Kicked Out Of Girl Scouts
Posted by Brett Singer at 2:30 PM on December 1, 2008
This is messed up.
Magi Klages, an 8 year old autistic girl, has been a Girl Scout since she was 6. According to US news program ABC News, her "Brownie troop grew too large". So they put her in a smaller troop with only four other girls, all of whom have special needs.
She was kicked out on the first day after she "threw a fit…biting herself and running out of the circle." The troop leader told Magi's parents that she was a "danger" to the other members and would no longer be welcome.
Her mother, Michele Klages, is understandably upset. Michele says that Magi was, at worst, only a danger to herself, and that reactions like Magi's are not unusual for autistic children.
A Girl Scouts of America spokeswoman, Michelle Tompkins, said that Magi being kicked out of the troop was "terrible". A spokeswoman for the local chapter of the Girl Scouts (Wisconsin Southeast) did not respond to ABC News, according to the article.
The Scouts and Magi's parents are looking for a new troop for Magi, which is probably for the best. But it seems extremely unfair to boot the little girl out after the first day. I'm not saying the other children weren't scared; I wasn't there of course, but I can imagine the situation and I'm sure it was uncomfortable. But the first day? I'm not saying there should be a "three strikes" policy or anything like that, but give the kid a chance. According to ABC News, "the Girl Scouts has been historically open to anyone and prides itself on its anti-discrimination policies." I guess not everyone got the memo.
Source: ABC News via Disabled Politico (thanks to a reader for the tip!)
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