“She is in high school... she’s on the cheerleading team”.
High schools have special education classes for ED (emotionally disturbed) and special ed (that covers everything from mild to severe mental retardation, autism, etc). Many high schools will allow a kid from the special education sector to join a team. It is an ego boosting act so that the child can feel like they participated in a “sport” or event. There is a high school in our area that has allowed a Down Syndrome boy to join the football team. He works out and suits up but doesn’t get any pt. However, he is still a team member.
I teach a delayed boy in middle school who is a good athlete. He plays on the football team.
What is heartbreaking about this story is that these children are often desperate for the attention and acceptance of their peers. I'm sure she was thrilled to be "befriended" by the older girl.