THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY STACK, ORIE, WILLIAMS, BAKER, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY, FERLO, BROWNE, SMUCKER, GREENLEAF, TARTAGLIONE, KASUNIC, STOUT, FONTANA, HUGHES, ROBBINS, MUSTO, PICCOLA, WONDERLING, KITCHEN, MELLOW, ERICKSON, TOMLINSON, WARD, LEACH, ALLOWAY, FARNESE, EARLL, COSTA, BRUBAKER, O'PAKE, LOGAN, GORDNER AND YAW, APRIL 1, 2009

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 1, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the month of April 2009 as "Autism Awareness Month"

in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Autism is a severely incapacitating, lifelong

developmental disability resulting in significant impairment of

an individual's ability to learn, develop healthy interactive

behaviors and understand verbal, nonverbal and reciprocal

communication; and

WHEREAS, Autism is the fastest growing developmental

disability, affecting more than one million individuals

nationwide and 75,000 individuals in this State; and

WHEREAS, Autism is the result of a neurological disorder

affecting the functioning of the brain, but few members of the

general public understand this complex syndrome; and

WHEREAS, Although a cure for autism has not been found,

persons with autism can be helped to reach their greatest

potential through accurate early diagnosis, appropriate

education and intervention; and

WHEREAS, Support groups such as the Autism Society of

America, Autism Speaks/Cure Autism Now, the National Alliance

for Autism Research, Unlocking Autism and other organizations

have dedicated years of service in their ongoing efforts to

advocate for the rights, humane treatment and appropriate

education of all persons with autism; and

WHEREAS, These groups remain committed to their cause and to

educating families, professionals and the general public to

better understand this lifelong disability; and

WHEREAS, Autism is a complex disability requiring increased

research to one day find a cure and prevention and requiring

greater recognition and understanding to ensure that persons

with autism are accurately diagnosed and appropriately treated

throughout their lives; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of April 2009

as "Autism Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and urge its

observance throughout this Commonwealth.