Commends the parents and relatives of individuals with autism for their sacrifice and dedication in providing for the special needs of individuals with autism. Expresses support for: (1) increasing federal funding for research; (2) the federal government's commitment to provide states with 40% of the costs needed to educate children with disabilities; and (3) the government's commitment to fund services through Medicaid to eligible autistic individuals.
Recognizes: (1) the need to begin early intervention services soon after a child has been diagnosed; (2) that individuals with autism should have the opportunity to lead rewarding lives; (3) the shortage of appropriately trained professionals; and (4) the importance of worker training programs tailored to the needs of developmentally disabled persons.
Joins with members of the United Nations in promoting awareness of autism spectrum disorders in all regions of the world.
[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 96 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 96
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
April 2, 2009
Mr. Doyle (for himself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, and Mr. Engel)
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>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
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.
Referred to House Education and Labor
Referred to House Foreign Affairs
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
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