Autism is a "major public health issue" and Bermuda needs to start preparing for the future needs of those with the disorder, a forum heard last night.

Dr. TerryLynn Tyrell, education director for Advocates for Children and Youth in Baltimore, said good services on the Island for those who received an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis did exist but were "somewhat disjointed".

Dr. Tyrell, speaking at a discussion at Mount Saint Agnes Academy organised by Bermuda Autism Support and Education Society (BASE), urged the Ministry of Health to implement a screening policy to ensure early detection.

"Thirty percent of children with autism who get early intervention make a recovery or have a decent chance of achieving," she said.

The Bermudian educational policy expert said the Ministry needed to link up with the Child Development Programme, which helps autistic children under the age of four, to ensure a cohesive approach and provide parents with a safety net.

And Dr. Tyrell encouraged parents to seek a second opinion if they suspect autism but are told to "wait and see" by a paediatrician or nurse.

Last night's forum heard that the incidence of autism has risen massively in ten years from one person in 10,000 to one in 150. Panellist Erica Smith, chairman of Tomorrow's Voices, Bermuda's autism early intervention centre, said based on the last Census that meant there were potentially more than 100 people aged between birth and 19 with the disorder on the Island and as many as 425 in total.

She said there was no definitive data on how many people were affected in Bermuda but that statistics were needed to ensure the future provision of services.

Mrs. Smith praised BASE for the awareness raising it has done since it was formed in 2001 but said the message had still not penetrated in terms of the "delivery of services for this unique group of people".

A touching description of how autism can be handled positively by parents was given by school counsellor Anthony Peets, whose six-year-old son Ahmani was diagnosed with high functioning autism at the age of two.

He said early warning signs were his son's love of whirring ceiling fans and spinning wheels on the bottom of his toy cars. "He was not a distant child," said Mr. Peets. "He had no problems being held or cuddled. He loved us."

He added: "He is going to college. My little soldier right now is six years old. He's learning to read. He has a plethora of girlfriends. He goes to school with me every day to Victor Scott."

Mr. Peets urged fathers of children with challenges to stay married and called on those dealing with parents of autistic children to be tolerant and not use hurtful language.

To contact BASE email basebda@yahoo.com.

* If you have a child with autism and would be interested in being interviewed by The Royal Gazette for a forthcoming feature please email sstrangeways@royalgazette.bm or call 278-0155.