[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5497]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. JOHNSON. Madam President, today I rise to recognize April as 
National Autism Awareness Month. As many as 1 in 166 children is 
diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders each year, yet the cause and 
cure remain unknown. Our commitment to finding answers and solving the 
puzzle of autism must continue.
  While the diagnosis of autism is the beginning of a challenging road, 
it can also be the welcome end to a frustrating process for families. 
Early detection is an important step towards obtaining appropriate 
treatment to ensure children are able to grow to reach their full 
potential. As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders continues to 
grow, we must also ensure these treatment options are available in our 
communities and accessible to those who need them.
  I also take this opportunity to recognize the parents, professionals, 
and advocates who work day after day to be a powerful voice for 
autistic individuals. They create an important network to share 
information, experiences and challenges, as well as to celebrate 
accomplishments. We must all join them in their efforts to pursue 
increased funding for biomedical research and public health awareness 
campaigns, education programs that reflect special needs, and expanded 
diagnosis and treatment options.
  I urge all citizens to support the search for the cause, cure and 
prevention of autism and support those individuals and families who 
live with this challenging disorder on a daily basis.

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