81R10138 CBE-D

By: Gonzales H.R. No. 637

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Members of the Autism Council for Educational Support and Scientific Studies and the Rio Grande Valley Task Force of the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders are visiting the State Capitol on February 26, 2009, providing a welcome opportunity to honor these notable organizations; and

WHEREAS, "Pervasive developmental disorders" refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of socialization and communication skills; autism, the most common of these disorders, is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and impacts normal development of social interaction and communication skills; autism typically appears during the first three years of life and affects as many as six per 1,000 individuals; other pervasive developmental disorders include Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome, and PDD-not otherwise specified; and

WHEREAS, The Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders was established by legislation in 1987 and works to ensure that the needs of persons with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders and their families are addressed; task forces located throughout the state advise the council on a range of issues, and the council in turn makes recommendations to state agencies and the state legislature; and

WHEREAS, Organized to improve autism services, education, and research in the Rio Grande Valley, the Autism Council for Educational Support and Scientific Studies consists of parents of children with autism, as well as professionals who regularly work with the autism spectrum disorders population; the Autism Council seeks to facilitate the development of an informed and united community, and as such, hosts a monthly autism support group; and

WHEREAS, Through their efforts to raise awareness of these prevalent developmental disabilities, members of the Autism Council for Educational Support and Scientific Studies and the Rio Grande Valley Task Force of the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders are making a positive difference in the lives of South Texans, and they are indeed deserving of recognition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby honor the Autism Council for Educational Support and Scientific Studies and the Rio Grande Valley Task Force of the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders and extend to their members sincere best wishes for continued success with their important work; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the organizations as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.