[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 317 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 317
Recognizing the importance of increasing awareness of autism spectrum
disorders, supporting programs for increased research and improved
treatment of autism, and improving training and support for individuals
with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 10, 2004
Mr. Hagel submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the importance of increasing awareness of autism spectrum
disorders, supporting programs for increased research and improved
treatment of autism, and improving training and support for individuals
with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.
Whereas the Autism Society of America, Cure Autism Now, the National Alliance
for Autism Research, Unlocking Autism, and numerous other organizations
commemorate April as National Autism Awareness Month;
Whereas autism is a developmental disorder that is typically diagnosed during
the first 3 years of life, robbing individuals of their ability to
communicate and interact with others;
Whereas autism affects an estimated 1 in every 250 children in America;
Whereas autism is 4 times more likely 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 people
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 individual per year;
Whereas the cost nationally of caring for persons affected by 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 Senate--
(1) supports the establishment of April as 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 the goal of increasing Federal funding for
aggressive research to learn the root 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
people with autism;
(4) commends the Department of Health and Human Services
for the swift implementation of the Children's Health Act of
2000, particularly for establishing 4 ``Centers of Excellence''
at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the
epidemiology of autism and related disorders and the proposed
``Centers of Excellence'' at the National Institutes of Health
for autism research;
(5) stresses the need to begin early intervention services
soon after a child has been diagnosed with autism, noting that
early intervention strategies are the primary therapeutic
options for young people with autism, and early intervention
significantly improves outcomes for people with autism and can
reduce the level of funding and services needed later in life;
(6) supports the Federal Government's nearly 30-year-old
commitment to provide States with 40 percent of the costs
needed to educate children with disabilities under part B of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);
(7) recognizes the shortage of appropriately trained
teachers who have the skills and support necessary to teach,
assist, and respond to special needs students, including those
with autism, in our school systems; and
(8) recognizes the importance of worker training programs
that are tailored to the needs of developmentally disabled
persons, including those 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.
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