Bill Text: NJ AJR154 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates April of each year as "Autism Acceptance Month" in NJ.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-27 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee [AJR154 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-AJR154-Introduced.html
No. 154
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 27, 2024
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MICHELE MATSIKOUDIS
District 21 (Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union)
Assemblyman CHRISTOPHER P. DEPHILLIPS
District 40 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Barlas
SYNOPSIS
Designates April of each year as "Autism Acceptance Month" in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating April of each year as "Autism Acceptance 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
Whereas, Drowning accounts for approximately 91 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, 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 5.4 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder, and one out of every 36 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 Acceptance 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 Acceptance 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 Acceptance 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 Acceptance Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately..
STATEMENT
This resolution designates April of each year as "Autism Acceptance Month" in New Jersey to coincide with National Autism Acceptance 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 36 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.