[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 605 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
May 5, 2004.
Whereas the Autism Society of America, Cure Autism Now, the National Alliance
for Autism Research, Unlocking Autism, and numerous other organizations
commemorate April of each year as ``National Autism Awareness Month'';
Whereas autism is a developmental disorder that is typically diagnosed during
the first three years of life, robbing individuals of their ability to
communicate and interact with others;
Whereas autism affects an estimated 1 of every 166 children in the United
States;
Whereas autism is four times more likely to be found in boys than in girls and
can affect anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or other factors;
Whereas the cost of specialized treatment in a developmental center for
individuals with autism is approximately $80,000 per individual per
year;
Whereas the cost of special education programs for school-aged children with
autism is often more than $30,000 per child per year;
Whereas the total cost nationally of caring for individuals with autism is
estimated at more than $90,000,000,000 per year; and
Whereas despite the fact that autism is one of the most common developmental
disorders, many professionals in the medical and educational fields are
still unaware of the best methods to diagnose and treat the disorder:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Autism Awareness
Month'';
(2) recognizes and commends the parents and relatives of children
with autism for their sacrifice and dedication in providing for the
special needs of children with autism and for absorbing significant
financial costs for specialized education and support services;
(3) supports aggressive research to determine the causes of autism,
identify the best methods of early intervention and treatment, expand
programs for individuals with autism across their lifespan, and promote
understanding of the special needs of individuals with autism;
(4) commends the Department of Health and Human Services for
implementing programs to study the epidemiology of autism and related
disorders and advancing autism research at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health;
(5) stresses the need to begin early intervention services soon
after an individual has been diagnosed with autism, noting that early
intervention strategies are the primary therapeutic options for
individuals with autism and early intervention significantly improves
outcomes for individuals with autism and can reduce the level of funding
and services needed later in life;
(6) supports the Federal Government's commitment to provide States
with part of the costs needed to educate children with disabilities
under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20
U.S.C. 1411 et seq.);
(7) encourages more Americans to pursue the teaching profession and
to be trained with the skills necessary to teach, assist, and respond to
special needs students, including those students with autism; and
(8) recognizes the importance of worker training programs that meet
the needs of developmentally disabled individuals, including those
individuals with autism, and notes that people with autism can be, and
are, productive members of the workforce if they are given appropriate
support, training, and early intervention services.
Attest:
Clerk.