[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 57 (Thursday, April 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING APRIL AS NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2008

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize April 
as National Autism Awareness Month. Autism Awareness Month brings 
attention to the wide spectrum of autistic-related disorders affecting 
as many as 1 in 150 children born in the United States. The Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention have identified autism as a national 
public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
  Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts 
throughout a person's lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders 
known as autism spectrum disorders. It is now more common in diagnosis 
than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all 
racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to 
strike boys than girls. Autism impairs one's ability to communicate and 
relate to others; depending on the severity of the diagnosis, autism 
may dramatically affect one's quality of life and ability to obtain 
employment.
  I am proud of the many organizations and programs that exist in the 
Chicagoland area to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of autism. I 
especially want to recognize Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago for its 
extraordinary work on this important issue. Easter Seals provides 
comprehensive autism services to its clients, including autism 
therapeutic schools, adult vocational programs, after school programs, 
information, and professional training. Illinois has seen a 353-percent 
increase in autism since 1993. Easter Seals is responding proactively 
to this increase by building the Therapeutic School and Center for 
Autism Research, which has already begun its construction and is 
expected to be completed in 2012. This landmark facility will offer 
students with autism an array of services that includes medical 
assessments, nursing, behavior, speech, physical, and occupational 
therapy, social work services, art and music therapy, vocational 
training, and community training. Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago has 
provided excellent care to its clients for over 70 years, and I commend 
them for their commitment to serving those affected by autism spectrum 
disorders in our community.
  In Chicago and across the country, it is clear that autism is having 
an enormous effect on children and families. Autism Awareness Month and 
its associated events help shine light on this critical issue. 
Therefore, Madam Speaker, I am indeed pleased to join with my 
colleagues in celebrating the goals of awareness, prevention, and 
treatment of autism spectrum disorders during this April's National 
Autism Awareness Month.

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