Connecting Communities in the Cocos Islands

We recently had the privilege of providing regional support in a more remote location than ever before – swapping WA’s Goldfields, Pilbara and Southwest for the tropical Cocos Islands almost 3,000 kilometres away from Perth!

Support by the sea

Across three action-packed days, Valeri – a teacher and Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner from the Autism Association of WA Therapy team – visited the Cocos Islands. The visit was dedicated to delivering workshops and supports to the local community as part of a partnership established with the Indian Ocean Group Training Association (IOGTA).

Val visited both Home Island and West Island to speak with the community, including families, caregivers, employers, educators and healthcare professionals, about building knowledge around Autism, sharing resources and making connections along the way.

“A key takeaway from the visit was the level of openness and curiosity from participants once they began to better understand what Autism is and how it presents. Through open discussion, culturally appropriate engagement and real-life examples, the sessions helped to build understanding, challenge assumptions, and encourage more empathetic responses within families and the broader community.”

Tess

General Manager, Indian Ocean Group Training Association

Bringing the community together

The trip included group presentations and one-on-one support, with a focus on increasing understanding and awareness; and on offering practical strategies for use in daily life at home, at school, in the workplace, and in other settings.

It was fantastic to have strong attendance and engagement at all sessions, and to have personal experiences shared with Val and among participants – showing that despite distances and differences, Autistic individuals and their families are not alone in the challenges they face and come together to support one another.

“Thank you for the information session on Autism – it was the most informative and well-done session I have ever been to!”

West Island resident

“Thank you for organising the visit by Autism WA. The sessions are much needed by the community and mums such as myself. I found them engaging, very informative and practical, and I love that I now have resources that I can access and apply. I really hope that there can be more sessions and visits in the future.”

Local parent

Sharing resources for real life

Some of the most practical supports for remote communities include resources like the Autism Alert Card and social stories, which both proved popular with families and professionals throughout the visit. One healthcare worker planned to use the ‘Getting an Injection’ social story to help prepare the individuals with Autism they work with for upcoming immunisations.

Information about the Perth Airport Sensory Room and hidden disabilities sunflower lanyard was shared to support the community with travel and navigating public spaces.

Breaking down barriers

Spending time at Cocos Islands District High School’s two campuses, meeting staff to share resources and introduce our online Knowledge Hub was another important part of the trip. Education assistants working with Autistic students also received support and resources to assist with building children’s independence.

On the final day of the visit, IOGTA organised a Q&A session with a group of seniors on Home Island to address common myths and misconceptions about Autism.

“It was wonderful to connect with families, professionals, and community members while raising awareness of Autism and sharing practical strategies for building a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone on West Island and Home Island. I would like to sincerely thank the staff at IOGTA for hosting me and for generously sharing their knowledge of the culture and community.”

Valeri

Teacher and PBS Practitioner

Looking ahead

With a foundation formed for ongoing partnership, increased awareness, and more inclusive and informed Autism support across the Cocos Islands following this visit, we look forward to continued collaboration with IOGTA.

Future visits will expand on these sessions, focusing on topics and resources requested by the local community including culturally appropriate visuals, employment inclusion and participation, and further education.

We are excited for the opportunities ahead – stay tuned for what’s next!

Learn more about our regional and remote services and supports

Click here