SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 32
(By Senators Bowman, McKenzie, Kessler, Prezioso,
Sprouse, McCabe, Rowe and Edgell)
Designating April, 2001, as "Autism Awareness Month" and April 27,
2001, as "Autism Awareness Day".
Whereas, Autism is one of the pervasive developmental
disorders of the brain; and
Whereas, Symptoms of autism usually appear during the first
three years of childhood. Children with autism have symptoms of
impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal
communications and, often, severely limited activities and
interests; and
Whereas, The incidence of autism is increasing at an alarming
rate; and
Whereas, Only ten years ago, it was estimated that autism
affected one out of ten thousand children in the United States; and
Whereas, Two years ago, it was estimated that autism affected
one out of five hundred American children; and
Whereas, Current estimates are that autism affects one out of
three hundred children nationwide and in some parts of the nation,
the rate is as high as one out of one hundred fifty children; and
Whereas, As a society concerned about the health and welfare of our children, we must make a more conscious effort to raise
awareness about disorders which rob our children of their youth and
vitality; and
Whereas, Our awareness of these disorders and our
contributions toward finding workable treatment or the elimination
of such disorders must be our vision for the future of our beloved
children; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby designates the month of April, 2001, as
"Autism Awareness Month" and April 27, 2001, as "Autism Awareness
Day" in an effort to raise awareness in West Virginia of this
debilitating disorder which robs children of normal lives; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human and the officials of Unlocking Autism Society.