Bill Text: DE HJR14 | 2013-2014 | 147th General Assembly | Draft

Delaware House Joint Resolution 14 (Prior Session Legislation)

Draft

Bill Title: Declaring April 2014 "autism Awareness Month" In Delaware.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-04-10 - Signed by Governor [HJR14 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2013-HJR14-Draft.html

SPONSOR:	Rep. Q. Johnson & Rep. Jaques, on behalf of all Representatives;Sen. Hall-Long, on behalf of all Senators

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14

DECLARING APRIL 2014 "AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH" IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong developmental disability affecting approximately 1 in 88 children which impairs an individual's ability to learn, develop healthy social behaviors, andengage in verbal, nonverbal, and reciprocal communication; and

WHEREAS, every person on the autism spectrum is affected in unique and individual ways that call for individualized treatment, educational programming, and services; and

WHEREAS, autism is the result of a neurological disorder affecting the social and communicative functions of the brain, and there is a greater need for public awareness of this complex disorder; and

WHEREAS, autism has no known cure, and research is critical to discovering the causes, treatments, and cures for the disorder; and

WHEREAS, autism is the third most common developmental disability, affecting more than 1,000,000 people across the country, and over 1,500 individuals and their families in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the population of students with autism statewide in Delaware increased by 695% between 1991 and 2012; and

WHEREAS, an increased population of children with autism naturally leads to an increased population of adults with autism who will still need support after they graduate; and

WHEREAS, the adult service system needs to be well prepared to support the increasing numbers of young adults who will need residential, vocational, behavioral, health, and/or recreational services to lead lives of dignity and productivity in the community; and

WHEREAS, the needs of adults with mild autism and Asperger's Syndrome for ongoing support to function successfully at work and in the community often go unrecognized or unmet; and

WHEREAS, the families of people with autism face financial, emotional, and social challenges as they strive to ensure the best care and life possible for their relative with autism;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 147th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that April 2014 shall be "Autism Awareness Month" in Delaware, in honor of the individuals diagnosed and living with autism along with their caregivers and their families.

SYNOPSIS

This Joint Resolution recognizes April 2014 as Autism Awareness Month.