By Dutton H.R. No. 536 77R9472 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to 1-2 recognize April 27, 2001, as Autism Awareness Day in Texas; and 1-3 WHEREAS, Autism is a severely incapacitating, lifelong 1-4 developmental disability that results in significant impairment of 1-5 an individual's ability to learn, develop healthy interactive 1-6 behaviors, and understand verbal, nonverbal, and reciprocal 1-7 communication; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Affecting more than 500,000 individuals nationwide, 1-9 autism is the result of a neurological disorder affecting the brain 1-10 and is the third most common developmental disability; although a 1-11 cure for it has not been found, persons with the syndrome can be 1-12 helped to reach their potential through accurate, early diagnosis 1-13 and the appropriate education and intervention; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Support groups such as the Autism Society of America 1-15 have dedicated years to advocating for the rights, humane 1-16 treatment, and appropriate education of all persons with autism; 1-17 these groups have been invaluable to educating families, 1-18 professionals, and the general public so that they may better 1-19 understand this lifelong disability; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Autism is a complex disorder that requires increased 1-21 research to one day find a cure and prevention; greater recognition 1-22 and understanding of the disability will help ensure that 1-23 individuals with autism living in Texas and across the country are 1-24 accurately diagnosed and treated throughout their lives; now, 2-1 therefore, be it 2-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-3 Legislature hereby recognize April 27, 2001, as Autism Awareness 2-4 Day in the Lone Star State and encourage all Texans to seek out 2-5 information about this complex syndrome.