[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S2561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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    SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  Mr. HAGEL submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 317

       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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