[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5543]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1510
                         AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, April is Autism Awareness Month.
  Autism is a disorder that impairs an individual's social interactions 
and communication skills with others. Sadly, autism is one of the 
fastest-growing developmental disorders in our Nation. It is estimated 
that a child is diagnosed with autism every 15 minutes. While some 
autistic children will grow up to function in society, others will need 
some level of professional care for life.
  Groups such as the Autism Society of Miami-Dade, in my congressional 
district, are committed to providing support and opportunities to 
enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum, as well as 
their families and caregivers.
  I urge all Americans to become involved in supporting families with 
children and adults with autism.

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