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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 303 Introduced in House (IH)]

110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 303

 Recognizing the importance of autism awareness, supporting efforts to 
 increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism 
  and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and 
              those who care for individuals with autism.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 25, 2008

   Mr. Doyle (for himself and Mr. Smith of New Jersey) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and 
 Labor and Foreign Affairs, 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing the importance of autism awareness, supporting efforts to 
 increase funding for research into the causes and treatment of autism 
  and to improve training and support for individuals with autism and 
              those who care for individuals with autism.

Whereas autism is a developmental disorder that is typically diagnosed during 
        the first 3 years of life, robbing individuals of their ability to 
        communicate and interact with others;
Whereas autism affects an estimated 1 in every 150 children in the United 
        States;
Whereas autism is 4 times more likely to occur in boys than in girls;
Whereas autism can affect anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or other 
        factors;
Whereas it costs approximately $80,000 per year to treat an individual with 
        autism in a medical center specializing in developmental disabilities;
Whereas the cost of special education programs for school-age children with 
        autism is often more than $30,000 per individual per year;
Whereas the cost nationally of caring for persons affected by autism is 
        estimated at upwards of $90,000,000,000 per year;
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; 
        and
Whereas the United Nations has declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, 
        to be observed every year beginning in 2008, increasing public awareness 
        worldwide of the need to support individuals with autism and the family 
        members, teachers, physicians, and other professionals who care for 
        individuals with autism: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes and commends the parents and relatives of 
        individuals with autism for their sacrifice and dedication in 
        providing for the special needs of individuals with autism and 
        for absorbing significant financial costs for specialized 
        education and support services, as well as health services that 
        are often not reimbursed through insurance coverage;
            (2) supports the goal of increasing Federal funding for 
        aggressive research to learn the root causes of autism, 
        identify those affected by the disorder, determine the best 
        methods of early intervention and treatment, expand programs 
        for individuals with autism across their lifespans, and promote 
        understanding of the special needs of people with autism;
            (3) stresses the need to begin early intervention services 
        soon after a child has been diagnosed with autism, noting that 
        early intervention strategies are the primary therapeutic 
        options for young people with autism, and that early 
        intervention significantly improves the outcome for people with 
        autism and can reduce the level of funding and services needed 
        to treat people with autism later in life;
            (4) supports the Federal Government's more than 30-year-old 
        commitment to provide States with 40 percent of the costs 
        needed to educate children with disabilities under part B of 
        the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
            (5) supports the Federal Government's commitment to fund 
        services through Medicaid to eligible individuals with autism;
            (6) recognizes the shortage of appropriately trained 
        professionals who have the skills and support necessary to 
        identify, teach, assist, treat, and respond to individuals with 
        autism in community settings;
            (7) recognizes the importance of worker training programs 
        that are tailored to the needs of developmentally disabled 
        persons, including those with autism, and note that people with 
        autism can be, and are, productive members of the workforce if 
        they are given appropriate support, training, and early 
        intervention services;
            (8) stresses that individuals with autism, like other 
        Americans, should have the opportunity to realize their 
        ambitions and lead rewarding lives; and
            (9) joins with the members of the United Nations in 
        promoting awareness of autism spectrum disorders in all regions 
        of the world.
                                 <all>
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