[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 413--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 2012 AS 
                    NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

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

                              S. Res. 413

       Whereas autism is a general term used to describe a group 
     of complex developmental brain disorders known as pervasive 
     developmental disorders, commonly known as autism spectrum 
     disorders;
       Whereas autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that 
     results in difficulties with communication and social 
     interaction, as well as repetitive behaviors;
       Whereas autism affects individuals differently, mildly 
     affecting some and significantly disabling others;
       Whereas according to a 2012 report published by the Centers 
     for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2008, autism 
     affects an estimated 1 in every 88 children in the United 
     States, including 1 in 54 boys, which is a 23 percent 
     increase from 2006;
       Whereas autism is 4 times more likely to be diagnosed in 
     boys than in girls;
       Whereas autism can affect anyone regardless of race, 
     ethnicity, or other factors;
       Whereas the lifetime incremental cost of caring for a 
     person with autism is $3,200,000;
       Whereas the cost nationally of caring for persons affected 
     by autism is estimated to be at least $90,000,000,000 per 
     year;
       Whereas the number of autistic adults grows daily and, 
     absent fundamental breakthroughs, will continue to increase 
     in the years and decades ahead;
       Whereas it is both a moral and fiscal imperative that 
     services be made available that maximize the potential of 
     each unique adult living with autism to contribute to the 
     greatest extent possible to the society and economy of the 
     United States;
       Whereas it is well established that early intervention can 
     improve outcomes by significantly improving the cognitive, 
     language, and adaptive skills of people with autism;
       Whereas the promise of early intervention is not being 
     realized as close to 80 percent of adults with autism, even 
     those without an intellectual disability, are unemployed and 
     living at home with relatives rather than independently;
       Whereas a variety of physical, medical, and mental-health 
     issues may accompany autism, resulting in marked functional 
     impairment in all activities of daily living;
       Whereas these conditions may include epilepsy, Down 
     syndrome, fragile X syndrome, gastrointestinal problems, 
     immune-system disorders, sleep disturbance, sensory 
     integration dysfunction, and metabolic disorders;
       Whereas many individuals on the autism spectrum face co-
     occurring mental-health challenges, including anxiety, 
     obsessive compulsions, and depression;
       Whereas individuals living with autism are highly valued 
     and deserve the highest level of dignity and acceptance by 
     society; and
       Whereas April 2012 would be an appropriate month to 
     designate as National Autism Awareness Month to increase 
     public awareness of the need to support individuals with 
     autism and the family members and medical professionals who 
     care for individuals with autism: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses support designating April 2012 as National 
     Autism Awareness Month;
       (2) recognizes and commends both individuals living with 
     autism and the parents and relatives of those individuals for 
     the sacrifice and dedication in providing for the special 
     needs of autistic individuals and for absorbing financial 
     costs for specialized education, medical clinical 
     interventions, and support services;
       (3) recognizes that--
       (A) autism is a major public health crisis that is taking 
     an enormous toll on millions of families who need answers 
     that can come only through further research;
       (B) meeting the education, employment, and service-
     provision needs of individuals on the autism spectrum is a 
     clear and compelling public policy issue that requires a 
     rapid national response; and
       (C) individuals and families are desperate to access 
     services that are, at this point, inadequate to meet the 
     current and growing needs of individuals with autism;
       (4) stresses the need to begin early intervention services 
     soon after a child has been diagnosed with autism, noting 
     that there is a strong consensus that intensive treatment as 
     soon as possible following diagnosis can significantly 
     improve cognitive functioning, language, and adaptive 
     behavior, reduce the cost of lifetime care, and yield the 
     most positive life outcomes for children with autism;
       (5) recognizes--
       (A) the importance of assistance in the areas of 
     comprehensive early intervention, health, recreation, job 
     training, employment, housing, transportation, and early, 
     primary, and secondary education; and
       (B) that with access to, and assistance with, this type of 
     service and support, individuals with autism can live rich, 
     full, and productive lives;
       (6) recognizes that services for transitioning youth and 
     adults with autism are an especially pressing need, as are 
     services that enhance the safety of individuals with autism 
     of any age; and
       (7) recognizes that by providing adequate service and 
     support at crucial points in life, adults with autism can 
     become tax-paying citizens with productive and rewarding 
     lives.

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