IV
107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 400
Recognizing the importance of increasing awareness of the autism spectrum
disorder, and supporting programs for greater research and improved
treatment of autism and improved training and support for individuals
with autism and those who care for them.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 25, 2002
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. KING, Mr. TOM
DAVIS of Virginia, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. HOLT, Mr. ROTH-
MAN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr.
GOODLATTE, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. SHAYS, Mr.
DAVIS of Florida, Mr. LYNCH, Mr. CANTOR, Mrs. MORELLA, Mr. REYES,
and Mr. GOODE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the importance of increasing awareness of the
autism spectrum disorder, and supporting programs for
greater research and improved treatment of autism and
improved training and support for individuals with au-
tism and those who care for them.
Whereas the Autism Society of America, Cure Autism Now,
the National Alliance for Autism Research, Unlocking
Autism, and numerous other organizations commemorate
April as Autism Awareness Month;
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Whereas autism is a developmental disorder that is typically
diagnosed during the first 3 years of life;
Whereas autism has robbed at least 750,000 people in the
United States of their ability to communicate and inter-
act with others;
Whereas autism affects at least 2 to 6 in every 1,000 children
in the United States;
Whereas autism is 4 times more likely 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 autistic persons 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 individual per year;
Whereas the cost nationally of caring for persons affected by
autism is estimated at more than $13 billion 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 goals and ideas of Autism
Awareness Month;
(2) recognizes and commends the parents and
relatives of autistic children for their sacrifice and
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dedication in providing for the special needs of their
autistic children and for absorbing significant finan-
cial costs for specialized education and support serv-
ices;
(3) supports the goal of increasing Federal
funding for aggressive research to learn the root
causes of autism, identify the best methods of early
intervention and treatment, and promote under-
standing of the special needs of autistic persons;
(4) commends the Department of Health and
Human Services for the swift implementation of the
Children’s Health Act of 2000, particularly for es-
tablishing 4 Centers of Excellence at the Centers of
Disease Control and Prevention to study the epide-
miology of autism and related developmental disabil-
ities and the proposed Centers of Excellence at the
National Institutes of Health for autism research;
and
(5) stresses the need to begin early intervention
services soon after a child has been diagnosed with
autism, noting that early intervention strategies, in-
cluding applied behavioral analysis, are the primary
therapeutic options for young autistic persons.
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