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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 158 Introduced in House (IH)]

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'';
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 school-aged 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
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of a ``National Autism 
        Awareness Month'';
            (2) recognizes and commends the parents and relatives of 
        children with autism for their sacrifice and dedication in 
        providing for the special needs of children with autism and for 
        absorbing significant financial costs for specialized education 
        and support services;
            (3) supports the goal of increasing Federal funding for 
        aggressive research to determine causes of autism, identify the 
        best methods of early intervention and treatment, expand 
        programs for individuals with autism across their lifespan, and 
        promote understanding of the special needs of individuals with 
        autism;
            (4) commends the Department of Health and Human Services 
        for the implementation of the Children's Health Act of 2000 
        (Public Law 106-310), particularly for establishing four 
        centers of excellence at the Centers for Disease Control and 
        Prevention to study the epidemiology of autism and related 
        disorders and proposing centers of excellence at the National 
        Institutes of Health for autism research;
            (5) stresses the need to begin early intervention services 
        soon after an individual has been diagnosed with autism, noting 
        that early intervention strategies are the primary therapeutic 
        options for individuals with autism and early intervention 
        significantly improves outcomes for individuals with autism and 
        can reduce the level of funding and services needed later in 
        life;
            (6) supports fulfilling the Federal Government's nearly 30-
        year-old commitment to provide States with part of the costs 
        needed to educate children with disabilities under part B of 
        the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411 
        et seq.) by funding the maximum 40 percent of such costs;
            (7) recognizes the shortage of appropriately trained 
        teachers who have the skills and support necessary to teach, 
        assist, and respond to special needs students, including those 
        students with autism; and
            (8) recognizes the importance of worker training programs 
        that meet the needs of developmentally disabled individuals, 
        including those individuals with autism, and notes that people 
        with autism can be, and are, productive members of the 
        workforce if they are given appropriate support, training, and 
        early intervention services.
                                 <all>
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