The Disabled Politico blog raises an interesting question regarding Magi Klages, the 8-year-old girl who was kicked out of her Brownie troop after an incident that stems from her autism.
Basically, they wonder if having a separate "disabled kids' troop" is a good idea. "Regardless of the intention, the segregation of children with disabilities teaches all children the wrong message." I tend to agree. But a commenter on the site counters with the following: "Mainstreaming is a wonderful concept. The execution leaves a lot to be desired."
I remember a public service ad that aired many years ago starring Tony Danza (formerly of 'Taxi' and other roles). The tag line was the following: "How do you treat a person with a disability? Like a person!" In the ad, if I recall correctly, the disabilities were of the "in a wheelchair" rather than the "bites self" variety. I feel strongly that everyone deserves a chance to be in whatever situation they want to be in. Obviously it won't always work, and not just with autism. If I had wanted to join the track and field team in high school, that wouldn't have worked either, because I was a really slow runner and in less than stellar physical condition. (As opposed to the speedy Adonis I am now.) And another commenter on the site points out that Magi, "already was in an integrated troop, then her parents took her out of that one and put her in a segregated troop, then the segregated troop's leader kicked her out." Interesting point, that.
I admit to being not completely convinced that either solution is perfect. On the one hand, segregation is wrong, yes? Everyone should be given the same opportunities. On the other hand, what if a child really won't thrive in a particular environment? Is it fair to expect them to stick it out just because we think it's "the right thing to do"? And to slingshot back the other way, how long can you separate a kid from the mainstream before mainstreaming them becomes too great a challenge? What do you think? Is it better to keep "special needs" kids separate from everyone else? Or does that send the wrong message to everyone, special needs or no?
Source: disaboom.com
Read more:
Girl Diagnoses Herself With Autism
Can Music Help Cure Autism?
Kindergartners Vote An Autistic Classmate Out of the Class
Rare Condition Makes Boy Look Like Werewolf
