Next month Bermuda shoppers can help autistic children and save money themselves, through a special programme being offered by a local charity.

Autism charity Tomorrow's Voices is selling an Eat Shop Give card that provides discounts to a number of restaurants and retail stores.

The cards are being offered in April, Autism Awareness Month.

Tomorrow's Voices is designed to meet the individual needs of children in Bermuda who are diagnosed with autism or on the autism spectrum, and between the ages of two and 21.

Autism is characterised by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development: reciprocal social interaction skills, communication skills, or the presence of stereotyped (repetitive) behaviour, interests, and activities.

There are currently four children being helped in a special Tomorrow's Voices therapy centre in Smith's.

Money from the discount card campaign will allow the charity to help more children.

"We have identified at least ten kids who are candidates for the centre," said board member Carmen Phillips. "The number of people who have actually filled out the form and are on the waiting list is three.

"Even to take in those extra children would mean doubling our resources and doubling our space. It is quite urgent to us. We get calls weekly from parents looking for help."

The discount card is on sale now and will be valid from April 1 to April 8. It is $10.

"The aim of the new campaign is to heighten awareness of the vital services which Tomorrow's Voices offers, but will increase traffic through merchants' doors and help consumers to save money.

"Merchants can offer whatever discount they choose," said Ms Phillips. "We have restaurants who are offering free dinners.

"Some shops may want to push their spring collection, or they are giving an extra ten percent off their winter stuff that has already been discounted. There are a variety of things being offered."

The cards are reusable and available for $10 or $100.

"If you use it at a restaurant you can still turn around and use it at a retail establishment and get the deal for that week," said Ms Phillips. "It also has a built-in raffle prize. Any card holder that spends $100 or more in a store or $150 or more in a restaurant in the programme, is entered into a special raffle draw."

Ms Phillips said she became aware of autism when her cousin's child was diagnosed with it: "They don't live in Bermuda. I saw how it changed my cousin's life. She lives in Philadelphia. We visit them often. The new baby came. It was great. We saw the new baby two or three times, and when we went another time, he had changed. I saw what autism did to my cousin's family.

"Autism is usually diagnosed between the ages of two to four. Usually, the child develops fine says 'mama', 'dada' and then signs start occurring.

"There is often poor eye contact, or suddenly they stop saying 'mama', 'dada' and 'dog' or whatever. They retreat into themselves. Tomorrow's Voices helps bring them back out. Autistic children need a certain amount of time to learn everything they are going to learn. There is a very urgent feeling for the parent to get as much work done with their child as quickly as possible."

She said her nephew is now seven-years-old and talking, thanks to early intervention.

"When I found myself with a bit of spare time, and I knew I wanted to volunteer and do something, I couldn't think of anything else I wanted to do then work with the parents of autistic children."

There are currently 60 local merchants signed up to take part in Eat Shop Give.

There is no charge for their participation. They simply need to honour their chosen discount offer when an Eat Shop Give card is presented.

Cards will be on sale at Tomorrow's Voice's booths at various locations including Gibbons Co., Secrets, Brown & Co., Daisy & Mac, TeleBermuda, and from staff, parents and board members.

There is also an option for companies interested in purchasing bulk cards for employees the staff member pays $5 and the company matches with $5.

For more information visit www.tomorrowsvoices.bm/events/specialevents.htm or e-mail tomorrowsvoices@northrock.bm, fax 297-2342, telephone 332-7255, or e-mail carmenp@logic.bm