[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 400 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 400

   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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 25, 2002

  Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. Doyle, Mr. King, Mr. Tom 
 Davis of Virginia, Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Mr. Holt, Mr. Rothman, 
Mr. Menendez, Mr. Levin, Mr. Platts, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Goodlatte, Mrs. 
 Maloney of New York, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Shays, Mr. Davis of Florida, Mr. 
 Lynch, Mr. Cantor, Mrs. Morella, Mr. Reyes, and Mr. Goode) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 
                              and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 as Autism Awareness Month;
Whereas autism is a developmental disorder that is typically diagnosed during 
        the first 3 years of life;
Whereas autism has robbed at least 750,000 people in the United States of their 
        ability to communicate and interact with others;
Whereas autism affects at least 2 to 6 in every 1,000 children in the United 
        States;
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, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideas of Autism Awareness 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 
        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, 
        and promote understanding of the special needs of autistic 
        persons;
            (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 of Disease Control and Prevention to study the 
        epidemiology of autism and related developmental disabilities 
        and the proposed Centers of Excellence at the National 
        Institutes of Health for autism research; and
            (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.
                                 <all>