[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6288]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today because April is National 
Autism Awareness Month. Autism affects nearly one in every 110 children 
born in the United States and is the fastest growing developmental 
disability.
  With approximately 1.5 million Americans currently living with 
autism, we have a responsibility to support research and provide 
resources to support those living with autism. Studies have shown that 
early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better outcomes for children 
with autism. In fact, early identification and treatment can help 
reduce the symptoms of autism, increase progress for children as they 
enter school and reduce the need for more intensive support in the 
future.
  But to do that, we must work hard to increase the awareness of autism 
across the country. That's why I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of 
House Resolution 1033, which officially designates April as Autism 
Awareness Month. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 
days and months ahead on both sides of the aisle to bringing awareness 
to this important effort going forward.

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