PRINTER'S NO. 1221
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
255
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SABATINA, D. MILLER, BAKER, BISHOP, BOBACK,
V. BROWN, BROWNLEE, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, CAUSER,
COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, P. COSTA, SCHLEGEL CULVER,
P. DALEY, DAVIS, DeLUCA, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, DUSH, ELLIS,
ENGLISH, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FEE, GABLER, GIBBONS, GILLEN,
GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HARHAI, HARHART, A. HARRIS, J. HARRIS,
HEFFLEY, IRVIN, KAUFFMAN, KAVULICH, W. KELLER, KILLION, KIM,
KINSEY, KIRKLAND, LONGIETTI, MACKENZIE, MAHONEY, MAJOR,
MARSHALL, MARSICO, McCARTER, McNEILL, MILLARD, MURT, MUSTIO,
NEUMAN, O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, C. PARKER, PAYNE, PICKETT, QUIGLEY,
READSHAW, ROEBUCK, ROSS, ROZZI, SANKEY, SCHLOSSBERG,
SCHREIBER, SNYDER, SONNEY, STURLA, TAYLOR, THOMAS, VEREB,
WARD, WATSON, WHEELAND AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 15, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 15, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2015 as "Autism Awareness Month"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurological
developmental disability which impacts a person's ability to
learn and communicate with others; and
WHEREAS, Autism is a spectrum disorder and therefore affects
individuals differently to varying degrees; and
WHEREAS, Greater recognition, understanding and awareness of
autism spectrum disorder is necessary to accurately diagnose and
appropriately support individuals living with this disorder; and
WHEREAS, There is no single known cause of autism, and, while
children do not outgrow autism, studies have shown that with
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diagnosis and treatment at an early age, symptoms related to
autism can be considerably improved and in some cases completely
overcome; and
WHEREAS, Autism is diagnosed four times more often in boys
than in girls and its prevalence is not affected by race, region
or socioeconomic status; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 1% of the world population and
approximately 1 in 68 births in the United States is diagnosed
with autism spectrum disorder; and
WHEREAS, The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder has
increased by more than 119% in the United States since the year
2000; and
WHEREAS, The lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism
has been estimated to be as much as $2.4 million, and annual
costs nationwide are estimated to be $175 billion to $196
billion for adults and $61 billion to $66 billion for children;
and
WHEREAS, The Bureau of Autism Services within the Department
of Human Services has been established with a mission to develop
and manage service and support to enhance the quality of life of
Pennsylvanians living with autism spectrum disorder and to
support their families and caregivers; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of April 2015 as "Autism Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania
and encourage its observance throughout this Commonwealth.
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