2025 -- S 0838

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LC002339

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 17, 2025, TO BE "PROFOUND AUTISM DAY IN RHODE

ISLAND"

     Introduced By: Senators Kallman, LaMountain, Felag, Murray, Euer, Rogers, Zurier,
Acosta, Ujifusa, and Lauria

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2025

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Profound Autism refers to a subset of individuals with Autism Spectrum

Disorder who are at least eight years old, have an intellectual disability with an intelligence

quotient less than 50 and minimal-to-no language or verbal abilities. Many have epilepsy and are

prone to self-injury behaviors and aggression, and therefore require 24-hour supervision and

assistance with the activities of daily living in order to be safe; and

     WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control estimates that the percentage of eight-year

old children with profound autism among those with autism in the United States, was

approximately 26.7 percent, which means that one in four children with autism in America have

Profound Autism; and

     WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control also found that the percentage of children

with profound autism was higher in girls than in boys, and was also higher in racial and ethnic

minorities than in white children, and was more prevalent in low-income families than affluent

families. Researchers suggest that the reason for these disparities may be that fewer children in

these groups who are mildly affected by autism are given a diagnosis. Tragically, children with

Profound Autism are frequently excluded from research and support programs because of their

unique needs; and

     WHEREAS, Profound Autism Day is an event that recognizes people with Profound

Autism and advocates for more support for them and their families and advocates for their

inclusion in services and research. People with Profound Autism and those who care for them live

amongst us and all too often live in isolation. They very much need our inclusion and support,

and specific consideration of their unique challenges is vital to their well-being; now, therefore be

it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims March 17,

2025, to be “Profound Autism Day in Rhode Island”; 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 Ms. Judith Ursitti, Cofounder & President of

the Profound Autism Alliance.

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LC002339

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