IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 158

Recognizing the importance of increasing awareness of autism, supporting 

programs for increased research and improved treatment of autism, improving training and support for individuals with autism and those who 

care for individuals with autism, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 15, 2005

Mr. TIERNEY (for himself, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. DOYLE, and Mr. 

SMITH of New Jersey) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to 

the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 

provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the importance of increasing awareness of autism, supporting programs for increased research and 

improved treatment of autism, improving training and 

support for individuals with autism and those who care 

for individuals with autism, and for other purposes.

Whereas the Autism Society of America, Cure Autism Now, 

the National Alliance for Autism Research, the Dan 

Marino Foundation, and numerous other organizations 

commemorate April of each year as ‘‘National Autism 

Awareness Month’’; 
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•HRES 158 IH 

Whereas autism is a developmental disorder that is typically 

diagnosed during the first three years of life, robbing individuals of their ability to communicate and interact 

with others; 

Whereas autism affects an estimated 1 of every 166 children 

in the United States; 

Whereas autism is four times more likely to be found in boys 

than in girls and can affect anyone, regardless of race, 

ethnicity, or other factors; 

Whereas the cost of specialized treatment in a developmental 

center for individuals with autism is approximately 

$80,000 per individual per year; 

Whereas the cost of special education programs for schoolaged children with autism is often more than $30,000 

per child per year; 

Whereas the total cost nationally of caring for individuals 

with autism is estimated at more than $90,000,000,000 

per year; and 

Whereas despite the fact that autism is one of the most common developmental disorders, many professionals in the 

medical and educational fields are still unaware of the 

best methods to diagnose and treat the disorder: Now, 

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) supports the designation of a ‘‘National Au3 tism Awareness Month’’; 

4 (2) recognizes and commends the parents and 

5 relatives of children with autism for their sacrifice 

6 and dedication in providing for the special needs of 
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•HRES 158 IH 

1 children with autism and for absorbing significant fi2 nancial costs for specialized education and support 

3 services; 

4 (3) supports the goal of increasing Federal 

5 funding for aggressive research to determine causes 

6 of autism, identify the best methods of early inter7 vention and treatment, expand programs for individ8 uals with autism across their lifespan, and promote 

9 understanding of the special needs of individuals 

10 with autism; 

11 (4) commends the Department of Health and 

12 Human Services for the implementation of the Chil13 dren’s Health Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–310), 

14 particularly for establishing four centers of excel15 lence at the Centers for Disease Control and Preven16 tion to study the epidemiology of autism and related 

17 disorders and proposing centers of excellence at the 

18 National Institutes of Health for autism research; 

19 (5) stresses the need to begin early intervention 

20 services soon after an individual has been diagnosed 

21 with autism, noting that early intervention strategies 

22 are the primary therapeutic options for individuals 

23 with autism and early intervention significantly im24 proves outcomes for individuals with autism and can 
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•HRES 158 IH 

1 reduce the level of funding and services needed later 

2 in life; 

3 (6) supports fulfilling the Federal Government’s 

4 nearly 30-year-old commitment to provide States 

5 with part of the costs needed to educate children 

6 with disabilities under part B of the Individuals with 

7 Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.) 

8 by funding the maximum 40 percent of such costs; 

9 (7) recognizes the shortage of appropriately 

10 trained teachers who have the skills and support 

11 necessary to teach, assist, and respond to special 

12 needs students, including those students with au13 tism; and 

14 (8) recognizes the importance of worker train15 ing programs that meet the needs of developmentally 

16 disabled individuals, including those individuals with 

17 autism, and notes that people with autism can be, 

18 and are, productive members of the workforce if they 

19 are given appropriate support, training, and early 

20 intervention services.

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