IV 

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; 


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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 schoolage 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 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That the Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes and commends the parents and 

4 relatives of individuals with autism for their sacrifice 

5 and dedication in providing for the special needs of 


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1 individuals with autism and for absorbing significant 

2 financial costs for specialized education and support 

3 services, as well as health services that are often not 

4 reimbursed through insurance coverage; 

5 (2) supports the goal of increasing Federal 

6 funding for aggressive research to learn the root 

7 causes of autism, identify those affected by the dis8 order, determine the best methods of early interven9 tion and treatment, expand programs for individuals 

10 with autism across their lifespans, and promote un11 derstanding of the special needs of people with au12 tism; 

13 (3) stresses the need to begin early intervention 

14 services soon after a child has been diagnosed with 

15 autism, noting that early intervention strategies are 

16 the primary therapeutic options for young people 

17 with autism, and that early intervention significantly 

18 improves the outcome for people with autism and 

19 can reduce the level of funding and services needed 

20 to treat people with autism later in life; 

21 (4) supports the Federal Government’s more 

22 than 30-year-old commitment to provide States with 

23 40 percent of the costs needed to educate children 

24 with disabilities under part B of the Individuals with 

25 Disabilities Education Act; 


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1 (5) supports the Federal Government’s commit2 ment to fund services through Medicaid to eligible 

3 individuals with autism; 

4 (6) recognizes the shortage of appropriately 

5 trained professionals who have the skills and support 

6 necessary to identify, teach, assist, treat, and re7 spond to individuals with autism in community set8 tings; 

9 (7) recognizes the importance of worker train10 ing programs that are tailored to the needs of devel11 opmentally disabled persons, including those with 

12 autism, and note that people with autism can be, 

13 and are, productive members of the workforce if they 

14 are given appropriate support, training, and early 

15 intervention services; 

16 (8) stresses that individuals with autism, like 

17 other Americans, should have the opportunity to re18 alize their ambitions and lead rewarding lives; and 

19 (9) joins with the members of the United Na20 tions in promoting awareness of autism spectrum 

21 disorders in all regions of the world. 

Æ 


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