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, im-
proving 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 re-
ferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subse-
quently 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 au-
tism, 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’’;
•HRES 158 IH 
Whereas autism is a developmental disorder that is typically 
diagnosed during the first three years of life, robbing in-
dividuals 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 com-
mon 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 Au-
tism 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
•HRES 158 IH 
children with autism and for absorbing significant fi-
nancial 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 inter-
vention and treatment, expand programs for individ-
uals 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 Chil-
dren’s Health Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–310), 
particularly for establishing four centers of excel-
lence at the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion 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 im-
proves outcomes for individuals with autism and can
•HRES 158 IH 
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 au-
tism; and 
(8) recognizes the importance of worker train-
ing 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.
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