[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 91 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 91


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 2, 2001

Received and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                                Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the importance of increasing awareness of the autism 
  spectrum disorder, and supporting programs for greater research and 
  improved treatment of autism and improved training and support for 
          individuals with autism and those who care for them.

Whereas the Autism Society of America, Cure Autism Now, the National Alliance 
        for Autism Research, Unlocking Autism, and numerous other organizations 
        commemorate April 27 as Autism Awareness Day and April as Autism 
        Awareness Month;
Whereas autism is a developmental disorder that is typically diagnosed during 
        the first three years of life;
Whereas autism has robbed at least 400,000 Americans of their ability to 
        communicate and interact with others;
Whereas autism affects at least 1 in every 500 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 autistic 
        persons 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 $13 billion 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 by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and ideas of Autism Awareness Day 
        and Month;
            (2) recognizes and commends the parents and relatives of 
        autistic children for their sacrifice and dedication in 
        providing for the special needs of their autistic children and 
        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, 
        and promote understanding of the special needs of autistic 
        persons;
            (4) urges the Department of Health and Human Services to 
        continue to press for the swift and full implementation of the 
        Children's Health Act of 2000, particularly the establishment 
        of not less than three ``Centers of Excellence'' at the Centers 
        for Disease Control and Prevention and not less than five 
        ``Centers of Excellence'' at the National Institutes of Health, 
        in order to monitor the prevalence of autism at a national 
        level, leading to a better understanding of autism and related 
        disorders;
            (5) stresses the need to begin early intervention services 
        soon after a child has been diagnosed with autism, noting that 
        early intervention strategies, including Applied Behavioral 
        Analysis, are the primary therapeutic options for young 
        autistic persons;
            (6) supports the goal of federally funding 40 percent of 
        the costs of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to 
        States and local school districts, recognizing that the 
        inadequacy of this funding has adversely affected the ability 
        of school districts to appropriately respond to the rising 
        number of autism cases in our schools;
            (7) urges Federal, State, and local governments to allocate 
        sufficient resources to teacher training initiatives to 
        alleviate the shortage of appropriately trained teachers that 
        have the skills and support necessary to teach, assist, and 
        respond to the special needs of autistic students 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 autistic 
        persons can be, and are, productive members of the workforce if 
        they are given appropriate support, training, and early 
        intervention services.

            Passed the House of Representatives May 1, 2001.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.

                            By Martha C. Morris,

                                                          Deputy Clerk.