UNIVERSITY PROJECT · INCLUSIVE DESIGN CONCEPT
PACIFIC PATHWAYS FIRST STEPS
PACIFIC PATHWAYS FIRST STEPS
A neurodiversity conversation toolkit for Pacific families
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THE PROJECT
THE PROJECT
Pacific Pathways First Steps is a toolkit concept for Pacific parents and caregivers of children aged 5–12. It helps families put everyday observations into words and prepare for a first conversation about support. The project grew from my experience as a Rotuman parent and my interest in how language, trust and access to services shape the options families have in Australia and Fiji.
MY ROLE AND RESEARCH
MY ROLE AND RESEARCH
I led the research and designed the toolkit concept for Design Across Difference. As a Rotuman parent, I wanted to understand how language, trust and access to services shape the next step for Pacific families in Australia, with Fiji as a comparison.
In exploratory questionnaire responses, people identified different first contacts: a relative, a faith leader or a health professional.
That shaped a practical decision: a caregiver should be able to take the same notes to whichever conversation makes sense for their family.
DESIGN DIRECTION
DESIGN DIRECTION
I started with an information poster and moved towards something a caregiver could use: Notice → Record → Discuss. The observation card prompts a caregiver to write down what happened, where it happened and what helped. The one-page summary brings those notes together with the child’s strengths and a question the caregiver wants to ask.
The design uses plain language and is intended to work on paper, with a mobile-friendly companion as part of the concept. It is a non-diagnostic resource, and caregivers decide what to share and with whom.
What I’d test next
What I’d test next
I’d test whether Pacific parents and caregivers can use the resource to explain their concerns and identify a next step. I’d ask families and community workers where the language feels unclear and what support they would expect to find.
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