Government is to give $20,000 to the charity Bermuda Autism Support & Education (BASE) in support of its education centre.

Acting Health Minister Zane DeSilva announced the grant on Thursday World Autism Awareness Day.

The day is acknowledged by the United Nations and countries around the world each year, on April 2.

"The resolution is one of the few official disease or disorder-specific UN Days and aims to bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive and complex brain disorder that affects tens of millions around the world and for which there is no cure," Mr. DeSilva said.

"Government is committed to helping those families, both through the Ministry of Health which ensures that families of special needs children have access to the health care and social support they need, and through the Ministry of Education.

"In 2008, the Ministry successfully partnered with (BASE) in a pilot programme within the public school system that provides a behaviour therapist to provide hands-on training and guidance to paraprofessionals, teachers and learning support staff in the classroom setting."

BASE president Jenny Purvey said: "It is vitally important that people are aware of autism and learn to recognise the warning signs in young children. Autism is not a mental illness and is not caused by bad parenting.

"Children with autism are not unruly kids who choose not to behave. Evidence shows that early intervention results in dramatically improved outcomes for young children with autism.

"The face of autism is changing. Our children grow up. More than 80 percent of adults with autism between 18 and 30 still live at home. The good news is many adults living with this disorder live very fulfilling lives, but too many face a variety of difficulties including anxiety, depression, anger and social isolation.

"We must create meaningful, respectful futures for adults with autism that include homes, jobs, recreation, friends and supportive communities. They are valuable citizens."