Alicia Kimberley has always struggled to find things for her nine-year-old son Corbin to do.
Corbin has autism and has little interest in sport. He's also found it hard to connect with other children.
"He wants to feel a part of something," she said.
"Most kids do that with sport when they're part of a team, but when you have kids that aren't like-minded in their physical abilities, that can be quite difficult."
But there's one thing Corbin does love: video games.
For the first time in his life, he has been able to play video games in a safe space designed for people like him, helping him to make new friends and develop crucial skills.
The Zone is the first dedicated gaming space for people of all ages with disabilities in Geraldton, 400km north of Perth.
In particular, the centre caters for those with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD.
Nine-year-old Corbin is a big fan of the virtual reality games at The Zone. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Francesca Mann)
"When I'm at home, no-one really ever wants to play with me," Corbin said.
"So yeah, that's kind of the main reason why I go here; it's just so fun."
The NDIS-supported service has several computers, two VR (virtual reality) headsets, a Nintendo Switch, board games and an air hockey table, as well as a chill-out zone and kitchen.
Ms Kimberley and Corbin have been coming to The Zone weekly since it opened in late April.
She says she quickly noticed positive changes in her son, who in the past was disengaged with school.
"It went from once a week to twice a week because we've seen how much he's loved and thrived being a part of it," she said.
"It's just such a positive, fun environment for our kids.
"It's also been an amazing drawcard of 'I'll go to school because I know I'm getting to have a fun thing' … as a reward."
Tammy Treasure opened The Zone after finding a lack of activities for neurodivergent people in Geraldton. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Francesca Mann)
Fast friends
Tammy Treasure set up The Zone after struggling to find after-school activities for her two boys, who both have autism and ADHD.
"There just isn't anything here [in Geraldton] that they warm towards," she said.
"I would have loved them to do sport, because I loved it as a child, but there was nothing that really grabbed them."
Ms Treasure, a former nurse and IT worker, set up the gaming space with help from Arthur Johnson, a fellow parent of neurodiverse children who has been running The Gaming Den in Ipswich, Queensland, since 2020.
The Zone has about 40 games available, with a focus on multiplayer quests. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Francesca Mann)
The majority of games available to play at The Zone are cooperative, meaning everyone has to work together to achieve a goal.
Since opening the doors, Ms Treasure has seen many new friendships bloom.
"Quite often they'll come in very shy, hiding behind mum's legs, not sure of what to do," she said.
"By the end of the first session they're begging their parents to come back.
"There are two boys that come in, and whoever gets here first turns the computers on, starts up the game … and stands at the door waiting for the other one to arrive ... it's amazing."
Get in The Zone, where these kids are finding friendship and connection (ABC listen: The Bright Side)
Benefits of gaming
Matt Harrison is a senior lecturer in learning intervention at the University of Melbourne.
His research focuses on how cooperative gaming can be used to help neurodiverse students.
Dr Harrison said video games could help young people develop social skills and self-regulation.
"I think every child needs to learn how to be able to calm themselves down and think through a strategy, check for understanding from their team members and to give feedback in a constructive way," he said.
"These are skills that we typically associate with team sport."
Dr Harrison, who himself has ADHD, said gaming was also a chance for neurodiverse people to try out leadership roles.
"Gaming is a really powerful space for young people," he said.
"They have a real interest and a knowledge about how to play the games, and it puts them in a position where they can lead other people and demonstrate their skills and talents.
"It builds up that confidence and sense of belonging, which we know is so important for a whole range of quality of life outcomes."
Connecting with other parents
Alicia Kimberley says she's loved connecting with other parents of neurodiverse children. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Francesca Mann)
While Corbin's engrossed in his games, Ms Kimberley uses the downtime to read and chat with other parents and carers.
She said caring for a neurodivergent child could be "quite isolating".
"It's been great having that connection, knowing we're not alone," she said.
"It's fantastic building those friendships that we otherwise probably wouldn't have made."
'Essential' community space
Gaming spaces like The Zone have been popping up around Australia in recent years.
While NDIS participants can use some of their funding to attend, the services are open to everyone.
However, Ms Treasure said it could be "cost prohibitive" for those without NDIS support.
Tammy Treasure, right, says board games like chess are also popular at The Zone. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Francesca Mann)
But Dr Harrison believes the benefits outweigh the costs.
"These spaces can really help people find themselves and to steer onto a positive pathway," he said.
"I think it's essential that we're creating community spaces and we're thinking about how we can make sure everyone can access these.
"If we invest in these spaces at a government level, we can make sure that people who need it the most can get the benefits, and in the end, everyone in society benefits."
Source: ABC