A newly established organisation founded by Samoan families is seeking to improve support, awareness and inclusion for autistic and neurodivergent people across the country.
The Samoa Otisi Society Incorporated (SOS), formally incorporated on 16 June, will officially launch on 10 August. The non-profit was established by parents, professionals and community members who say many families continue to face barriers accessing information, assessments and support services.
The organisation takes its name from "Otisi," the Samoan word for autism, developed by founding member Dr Taralina Gae'e to provide a culturally meaningful Samoan term for the condition.
Society president Nancy Vito said SOS was created from the lived experiences of parents raising autistic and neurodivergent children.
"We know there are families across Samoa who are raising autistic and neurodivergent children quietly and often alone," she said. "Many parents feel overwhelmed and do not know where to turn for help. Our society was born from those experiences, but more importantly from the hope that together we can build better systems, better support and a better future."
