| R 178 |
| 2024 -- S 2940 Enacted 04/02/2024 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2024, AS "AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Senator Jessica de la Cruz |
| Date Introduced: March 29, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, Autism is a neurological disorder that profoundly affects a person's ability |
| to communicate, process, and respond to sensory information, making it difficult for them to |
| relate to others and the world around them; and |
| WHEREAS, Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States, |
| affecting about 1 in every 36 children, and, based on statistics from the Centers for Disease |
| Control and Prevention, Autism has grown at a startling rate with a 312 percent increase in |
| prevalence nationally since 2000; and |
| WHEREAS, Typically appearing during the first three years of life, Autism is the result |
| of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. Autism knows no |
| racial, ethnic, or social boundaries, but is four and one-half to five times more prevalent in boys |
| than in girls; and |
| WHEREAS, Over the past several years, significant progress has been made in the areas |
| of research, diagnostic practices, and therapies for individuals with Autism; and |
| WHEREAS, A variety of causes, including environmental toxins, childhood |
| immunizations, and genetics, are all being studied in relation to Autism, but to date, there is no |
| identifiable cause or cure for Autism; and |
| WHEREAS, Research indicates that early, intensive, sustained, and appropriate |
| intervention can result in significant improvements in the quality of life, level of independent |
| functioning, and reduction of public costs associated with Autism; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims April of |
| 2024, to be "Autism Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby recognizes the achievements made by various |
| individuals and agencies across the state who have improved the quality of life for those with |
| Autism and their families, and supports the continuation of their efforts through greater |
| awareness, understanding, and knowledge of this disorder; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Autism Coalition. |
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| LC005702 |
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