Bill Text: NJ AJR128 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates April of each year as "Autism Awareness Month" in NJ.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-03-07 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Human Services Committee [AJR128 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-AJR128-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman BRITNEE N. TIMBERLAKE
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Designates April of each year as "Autism Awareness Month" in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating April of each year as "Autism Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities characterized by atypical development in socialization, communication, and behavior, which generally appear before three years of age and continue over a lifetime; and
Whereas, An estimated one-third of people with autism are unable to communicate verbally; and
Whereas, Approximately two-thirds of children with autism between the ages of 6 and 15 have been the victims of bullying; and
Whereas, Nearly 28 percent of 8-year-olds with an autism spectrum disorder have engaged in self-injurious behavior such as head banging, arm biting, or skin scratching; and
Whereas, Almost half of those with autism have wandered or bolted from safety, and drowning accounts for approximately 90 percent of deaths associated with wandering or bolting by children with autism aged 14 and younger; and
Whereas, The lifetime cost of caring for a person with autism is estimated to be as great as $2.4 million; and
Whereas, Although there is no known cure for autism, research suggests that early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the cost of lifetime care and improve outcomes for people with autism; and
Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder, and one out of every 59 American children born today will be diagnosed with autism; and
Whereas, New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the nation, and the prevalence of autism in the State continues to exceed and outpace the rate of autism in other states; and
Whereas, Since the 1970s, National Autism Awareness Month has taken place annually in April to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism; and
Whereas, Given the rapidly growing rate of autism spectrum disorders in New Jersey and the pressing need for early detection, it is altogether fitting and proper, and within the public interest, to designate April of each year as "Autism Awareness Month" in New Jersey and to encourage the citizens of this State to join the observance of the month and raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. April of each year shall be designated "Autism Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
2. The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a
proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to
observe "Autism Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates April of each year as "Autism Awareness Month" in New Jersey to coincide with National Autism Awareness Month. Autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities characterized by atypical development in socialization, communication, and behavior, symptoms that generally appear before three years of age and continue over a lifetime.
People with autism face a variety of communication, socialization, safety, and financial challenges. Although there is no known cure for autism, research suggests that early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the cost of lifetime care and improve outcomes for people with autism.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 59 American children born today will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the nation, and the prevalence of autism in the State continues to exceed and outpace the rate of autism in other states.
