III 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 124 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 26, 2005 Mr. Hagel (for himself, Mr. Feingold, and Ms. Stabenow) 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, The Dan Marino Foundation, 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 166 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 upwards of $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

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.