110 HCON 303 IH: Recognizing the importance of autism U.S. House of Representatives 2008-02-25 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 303 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 25, 2008 Mr. Doyle (for himself and Mr. Smith of New Jersey) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the importance of autism awareness, supporting efforts to increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism.

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 150 children in the United States; Whereas autism is 4 times more likely to occur in boys than in girls; Whereas autism can affect anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or other factors; Whereas it costs approximately $80,000 per year to treat an individual with autism in a medical center specializing in developmental disabilities; Whereas the cost of special education programs for school-age 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; 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; and Whereas the United Nations has declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, to be observed every year beginning in 2008, increasing public awareness worldwide of the need to support individuals with autism and the family members, teachers, physicians, and other professionals who care for individuals with autism: Now, therefore, be it

That the Congress— (1)recognizes and commends the parents and relatives of individuals with autism for their sacrifice and dedication in providing for the special needs of individuals with autism and for absorbing significant financial costs for specialized education and support services, as well as health services that are often not reimbursed through insurance coverage; (2)supports the goal of increasing Federal funding for aggressive research to learn the root causes of autism, identify those affected by the disorder, determine the best methods of early intervention and treatment, expand programs for individuals with autism across their lifespans, and promote understanding of the special needs of people with autism; (3)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 that early intervention significantly improves the outcome for people with autism and can reduce the level of funding and services needed to treat people with autism later in life; (4)supports the Federal Government's more than 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; (5)supports the Federal Government's commitment to fund services through Medicaid to eligible individuals with autism; (6)recognizes the shortage of appropriately trained professionals who have the skills and support necessary to identify, teach, assist, treat, and respond to individuals with autism in community settings; (7)recognizes the importance of worker training programs that are tailored to the needs of developmentally disabled persons, including those with autism, and note that people with autism can be, and are, productive members of the workforce if they are given appropriate support, training, and early intervention services; (8)stresses that individuals with autism, like other Americans, should have the opportunity to realize their ambitions and lead rewarding lives; and (9)joins with the members of the United Nations in promoting awareness of autism spectrum disorders in all regions of the world.