HR 9087

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution designating the month of April 2006 as
3	"Autism Awareness Month" in Florida.
4
5	WHEREAS, autism is a severely incapacitating, lifelong
6	developmental disability resulting in significant impairment of
7	an individual's ability to learn, develop healthy interactive
8	behaviors, and understand verbal, nonverbal, and reciprocal
9	communication, and
10	WHEREAS, autism, now the third most common developmental
11	disability in America, which affects one in every 166
12	individuals and millions nationwide, is the result of a
13	neurological disorder affecting the functioning of the brain,
14	but few members of the general public understand this complex
15	syndrome, and
16	WHEREAS, although no cure for autism has been found,
17	persons with the disability can be helped to reach their
18	greatest potential; hence, accurate, early diagnosis and the
19	resulting appropriate education and intervention are vital to
20	the future growth and development of those affected by this
21	disorder, and
22	WHEREAS, support groups, such as the National Autism
23	Registry and the Florida Chapter of the Autism Society of
24	America, have dedicated years of service to their ongoing
25	efforts to promote awareness of the needs of persons with autism
26	and to advocate for their rights, including the right to
27	dignity, respect, and appropriate education and employment; and
28	these groups remain deeply committed to enabling families,
29	professionals, and the general public to better understand the
30	effects of this lifelong disability, and
31	WHEREAS, autism is a complex neurological disorder that
32	requires continuing, increased research in the quest to one day
33	find a prevention and cure, and greater recognition and
34	understanding must be sought to accurately diagnose and
35	appropriately treat throughout their lives those individuals
36	with autism in Florida and in all of America, NOW, THEREFORE,
37
38	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
39	Florida:
40
41	That the House of Representatives acknowledges the
42	necessity of a continuing search for the cause and prevention of
43	autism and for a concerted effort to understand and support
44	those individuals and their caregivers who are touched by this
45	disability and to this end designates the month of April 2006 as
46	"Autism Awareness Month" in Florida.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.