| R 187 |
| 2024 -- H 8121 Enacted 04/02/2024 |
| H O U S 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: Representatives McGaw, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, DeSimone, Spears, Cotter, Carson, Alzate, and Casimiro |
| Date Introduced: April 02, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, Autism is a neurological condition that can profoundly affect a person's |
| ability to communicate, process, and respond to sensory information, making it challenging 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 2020 statistics from the Centers for Disease |
| Control and Prevention, Autism has grown at a startling rate with a 10 percent increase in |
| prevalence nationally; and |
| WHEREAS, Typically appearing during the first three years of life, Autism is the result |
| of neurological differences in the brain that affect the 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 and genetics, are all |
| being studied in relation to Autism, but to date, there is no identifiable cause 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 House of Representatives 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 House 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 Autism Spectrum Disorders; 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 Autism Society of Rhode Island Chapter. |
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| LC005818 |
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