[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11341]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 30, 2009

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, the Centers for Disease Control estimate 
that autism now affects one in every 150 American children and nearly 
one in 94 boys. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year 
than with diabetes, cancer, and AIDS combined. Autism is the fastest-
growing serious developmental disability in the world, and yet we know 
little about the root causes of autism.
  That's why we must do more to support NIH medical research. Earlier 
this month I introduced a resolution with Representatives Gerlach and 
Bachus to again designate April as ``National Autism Awareness Month.''
  This resolution commends the parents and relatives of children with 
autism for their dedication in providing for their special needs. It 
emphasizes the importance of early intervention services. And it 
supports efforts to devote new resources to medical research on the 
causes of autism and treatments for it.
  With increased support for autism, together we can offer some hope in 
an area that desperately needs it. I encourage all of my colleagues to 
help bring renewed awareness of children with autism.

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