2019 -- H 5953

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LC000522

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL, 2019, AS "AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, Morin, Millea, and Almeida

     Date Introduced: April 03, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Autism is a neurological disorder that profoundly affects a person's ability

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to communicate, process, and respond to sensory information, making it difficult for them to

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relate to others and the world around them; and

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     WHEREAS, Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States,

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affecting about 1 in every 59 children, and, based on statistics from the Centers for Disease

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Control and Prevention, Autism has grown at a startling rate with a 15 percent increase in

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prevalence nationally; and

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     WHEREAS, Typically appearing during the first three years of life, Autism is the result

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of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. Autism knows no

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racial, ethnic, or social boundaries, but is four and one-half to five times more prevalent in boys

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than in girls; and

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     WHEREAS, Over the past several years, significant progress has been made in the areas

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of research, diagnostic practices, and therapies for individuals with Autism; and

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     WHEREAS, A variety of causes, including environmental toxins, childhood

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immunizations, and genetics, are all being studied in relation to Autism, but to date, there is no

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identifiable cause or cure for Autism; and

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     WHEREAS, Research indicates that early, intensive, sustained, and appropriate

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intervention can result in significant improvements in the quality of life, level of independent

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functioning, and reduction of public costs associated with Autism; now, therefore be it

 

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby proclaims April, 2019, to be "Autism Awareness Month" in the

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State of Rhode Island; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this House hereby recognizes the achievements made by various

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individuals and agencies across the state who have improved the quality of life for those with

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Autism and their families, and supports the continuation of their efforts through greater

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awareness, understanding, and knowledge of this disorder; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Autism Coalition.

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