Bill Text: NY K00213 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2021, as Autism Acceptance Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-28 - adopted [K00213 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-K00213-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 213

BY: M. of A. Santabarbara

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        April  2021, as Autism Acceptance Month in the State
        of New York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  months  that  are set aside to increase awareness of important
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully  in  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2021,  as  Autism
Acceptance  Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with National
Autism Acceptance Month, and World Autism Acceptance Day, Friday,  April
2, 2021; and

  WHEREAS,  Autism  is a spectrum disorder (ASD), defined by a certain
set of behaviors and is  a  "spectrum  condition"  that  affects  people
differently  and  to  varying  degrees;  it  is a lifelong developmental
disability that typically appears during early childhood and can  impact
a    person's   social   skills,   communication,   relationships,   and
self-regulation; and

  WHEREAS, Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the
United States; 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with ASD,  and  there  are
more  than  5  million  individuals living with ASD in the United States
according to estimates from  the  Center  for  Disease  Control's  (CDC)
Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network; and

  WHEREAS,  Although  autism  impacts  people  regardless  of  race or
ethnicity, there are racial and ethnic disparities in diagnosis; and

  WHEREAS, According to the CDC, ADDM reports have consistently  noted
more  white  children  are  identified  with  ASD than black or Hispanic
children; previous studies have shown that stigma,  lack  of  access  to
healthcare   services   due   to   non-citizenship  or  low-income,  and
non-English  as  primary  language  are  potential   barriers   to   the
identification of children with ASD, especially among Hispanic children;
and

  WHEREAS,  Currently,  boys  are  also  approximately  4.5 times more
likely to have an autism diagnosis than girls of the same age;  however,
recent  research  suggests  girls may not show autism in the same way as
boys and might go undiagnosed; and

  WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, the Autism Society of America  began  a
nationwide awareness campaign which was adopted by Congress in 1984, and
strengthened by the release of the Autism Awareness ribbon in 1999; and

  WHEREAS,  While  there is currently no known single cause of autism,
early diagnosis helps a person receive the  support  and  services  they
need, which can lead to a quality life filled with opportunity; and

  WHEREAS,  Each  April  for  the  past  five decades, National Autism
Awareness Month has educated the public about autism and the  challenges
of those within the autism community; and

  WHEREAS,  The  spotlight  shining on autism, as a result, has opened
opportunities for the nation to consider how  to  serve  people  on  the
autism spectrum and their families; and

  WHEREAS,  The  goal  of Autism Awareness Month was to promote autism
awareness and assure that all affected by autism are able to achieve the
highest quality of life possible, which  has  now  evolved  into  Autism
Acceptance  Month to continue those efforts to spread awareness and also
promote acceptance and ignite change; and

  WHEREAS, Those in the autism community still face significant  unmet
needs  and  it  is  imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this health issue, this year we continue our efforts to build  a  better
awareness  of  the  signs,  symptoms,  and realities of autism, and also
provide information and resources for communities to be  more  aware  of
autism,  promote  acceptance,  and be more inclusive in everyday life at
the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2021, as Autism
Acceptance Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with  National
Autism Acceptance Month; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M.  Cuomo, Governor of the State  of
New York.