Autism Cook Islands had another successful initiative completed on the island of Aitutaki where they were once again able to take their vision of raising awareness and improving the quality of life for those with autism in the country.

The Rarotonga-based association took their ‘Getting to Know Autism Spectrum Disorder Workshop’ to Aitutaki for round two.

The association held their first workshop on the island earlier this year in June.

After being met with a great turnout, positive feedback, as well as the realisation that the island needed a second session for raising awareness of autism, they decided to take it back for a second time.

Nineteen participants attended the workshop, with the crowd made up of teachers, teacher aides, parents, grandparents, and a mix of community members eager to raise their own awareness of the condition. The crowd was smaller than the one that attended the first workshop as many people were busy preparing for the Bi-Centennial celebrations.

However Kat Jensen, programme manager for Autism Cook Islands, said with a smaller crowd, there was a lot more sharing of personal experiences and daily struggles.

Jensen and Andre Hansen from the Ministry of Education led the workshop presentations. Jensen presented on Autism CI, explaining who they are, what they stand for, what they do, and the way forward in terms of raising more awareness for the condition in the country. She also presented on communication passports. Hansen presented on managing behaviours/escalation and zones of regulation. A session was also held on the importance of routines and structure for children living with autism.

Kat Jensen and Andre Hansen who were the workshop presenters for the day. 21100702

There were many positive remarks on the feedback forms. One participant said: “This workshop has given me ideas on how to tackle my challenges with my son.” Another said: “I learnt I need to change my routine to suit the child, not change his routine to suit me.”

Papa Mata Tumutoa was one of the participants who has an 18-year-old grandson Marshall living with autism. A staunch supporter of Autism CI, he says there is always more learning to be had.

He encouraged the group to keep coming and keep sharing their knowledge with the community because he learns something new every time. On the night he learnt the importance of planning activities in advance.

Jensen says the feedback is always helpful in pointing them in the direction of which areas to direct their workshop next.

Getting positive responses also gives them good ideas in going forward to provide what the community needs, she added.

Jensen thanked Linda Ruamoana from Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI) Aitutaki for hosting Autism CI again. Ruamoana has noticed families are now getting more comfortable discussing autism, which was a terrific step in the direction forward.