For the first time, Samoan authors have teamed up and have given their personal accounts on the disorder autism, in a book which was launched last week in New Zealand.

Author and director of Mila’s Books, Dahlia Malaeulu, told the Samoa Observer that she is blessed to complete her writing project and wanted to share it with her people in Samoa. 

Ms. Malaelu is a mother to an autistic son and was inspired to collect stories for her son and other Pasifika children who live with the same disorder

"The book vĀsifika: Our Autism Journeys has launched in time for World Autism Awareness Day. A wealthy resource of Pacific stories," she said in an interview. 

"Firstly, there are still huge cultural stigmas across our Pasifika communities that are connected to autism and many other invisible conditions, which calls for further education especially for our families around the causes, effects, strategies, and tools.

"This is why we wanted to ensure that an intergenerational element was included in our book with a focus on gathering stories from autistic children, parents, and grandparents who grew up without such terms as autism, ADHD, Asperger's."

According to the writer, providing better support also means increasing knowledge and understanding for everyone including those in villages.

"And this is why we have an educator and clinical perspectives included in the book also. I have learned you need to connect and reach us before you teach us as Pasifika which applies to everything and is why the title of our book lends itself to the concept of Vā, the sacred space where our relationships and connections live as Pasifika, and why we need to learn how to nurture this Va with our families who have already been through so much."

Discussing the impact of intergenerational trauma, Ms. Malaelu as a member of the Pasifika community, it is something that we "consciously and unconsciously carry" as a people. 

"And the distrust many of our people still have as a result of inequitable systems that have a history of letting our people down. 

"I have learned that piles of photocopied sheets of paper handouts, readings, and pamphlets do not work for us as Pasifika. They do not reflect us, who we are, and how we do things. 

"Through our Mila's books titles, we have proven the power of our stories as Pasifika. Our stories not only help us be seen, heard, and valued - but also in helping us to connect, talanoa, and heal."

 Ms. Malaelu added that stories from Pasifika members of the community can become vehicles for change, especially when culturally safe spaces and support enable people to be themselves.

"We as Pasifika are able to nurture and fully step into being the master navigators we were destined to be. I have learned that autism has made our family's life richer in so many ways and that our son Mason is our blessing, a true gift from God, alongside his little brother Isaia. 

"He has taught us patience, compassion and resilience. He, alongside his brother Isaia, are our why and the first book I ever wrote was for our Mase because regardless of diagnosis we wanted him to know and understand what being a Tama Sāmoa meant through learning our Samoan language and developing his cultural knowledge.

"So it is safe to say Mila's books would not have existed if it weren't for Mase, his diagnosis, and his younger brother Isaia. Now the thing I love about journeys is that when our lessons, challenges, and wins along the way are shared, we find comfort and connections that remind us that we are not alone as well as some much-needed light at the end of the tunnel which lets us know that - it will be okay. 

"You will be okay. Our children and our families will be okay. This is what Vāsifika is all about and why we are so proud to share this amazing resource with the world because it was truly created with the goals of better supporting our tamaiti (children) and families living with autism, while promoting autism acceptance and awareness, the Pasifika way - with Pasifika, for Pasifika and for our village of supporters who accompany us on our autism journeys."