DANVERS — Bullies are among the most feared people in a young person's life. And it seems that no one who dares to be different is ever safe from their reach.
Brian Gordon, director of the Spotlight Program at the North Shore Arc, said children on the autism spectrum are "unique and amazing" children, making them easy prey for bullies.
For that reason, the social-service organization has invited Dot Lucci, director of consultation for Massachusetts General Hospital Youthcare, to discuss the topic of bullying and how it relates to children with disabilities. The talk will be held Thursday at 7 p.m.
Gordon said he hopes the discussion will inform parents about what they can do to avoid "unnecessary negative interactions" with bullies who cannot "step outside themselves" to realize what they are doing. He said the issue is one that parents bring up often and want to learn more about.
According to Gordon, there is a tendency for autistic children to be free spirits and not follow the norm. He sees this in many of them firsthand in North Shore Arc's Spotlight Program, which uses improvisation and theater exercises to improve the social skills of kids with varying degrees of autism.
"It's their conversational skills that need the most work," Gordon said. "It's not their IQ, it is their emotional quotient."
Such children tend not to pick up on nonverbal cues of other children and use speech that is more akin to the books they read, rather than the popular vernacular.
Anytime you mix emotionally immature children with a unique child that has limited social skills, you have a recipe for bullying, Gordon said.
"This (discussion) will help parents find out who to talk to and how to handle things should they occur," Gordon said.
If you go
r What: Dot Lucci of Massachusetts General Hospital's Youthcare discusses how bullying affects children with autism and other cognitive learning disabilities.
r When: Thursday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m.
r Where: North Shore Arc Conference Room, 6 Southside Road
r Cost: Free. Those interested should RSVP to Stacey Cruwys at 978-624-2310
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