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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Autism is the general term for a group of complex |
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neurodevelopmental disorders that are estimated to impact 1 to 1.5 |
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million American adults and as many as 1 out of every 50 children; |
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those living with autism in Texas number approximately 260,000; and |
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WHEREAS, Symptoms of autism typically emerge during the first |
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three years of life and include varying degrees of difficulty in |
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social interaction and communication and the presence of certain |
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repetitive behaviors; persons affected by autism may also |
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experience intellectual disabilities, motor coordination |
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impairment, and physical health issues, such as sleep and |
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gastrointestinal disturbances; and |
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WHEREAS, While there is no known cure for autism, early |
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diagnosis and intervention can drastically alleviate symptoms and |
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can reduce the cost of lifelong care by as much as two-thirds; |
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research has further underlined the significance of family |
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involvement, making connecting families with autism education and |
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resources a priority of particular urgency; and |
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WHEREAS, The United States is home to a number of advocacy |
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groups dedicated to ensuring that all persons living with autism |
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receive appropriate and effective treatment and to allaying the |
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challenges and expenses faced by their loved ones; and |
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WHEREAS, One such group is the Autism Society of America, one |
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of the oldest and largest grassroots organizations of its kind in |
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the nation; composed of 107 local and statewide affiliates, the |
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Autism Society provides more than one million people a year with |
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information, referrals, and support services to help affected |
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individuals reach their full potential and attain an optimal |
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quality of life; and |
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WHEREAS, This admirable group offers a wealth of important |
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resources, including a national contact center that each month |
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responds to over 24,000 people in need of answers or assistance; the |
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society also hosts one of the longest-running and most |
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comprehensive national conferences on autism, a gathering that |
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brings together the expertise and experience of professionals, |
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family members, and individuals along the autism spectrum to build |
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more effective advocacy and support strategies; and |
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WHEREAS, Another organization worthy of note is Autism |
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Speaks, founded in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a |
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child with autism, and their longtime friend Bernie Marcus, whose |
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$25 million donation was instrumental to the group's launch; Autism |
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Speaks has since grown into a leading worldwide research sponsor, |
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having committed over $160 million toward investigations into the |
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causes, prevention, and treatment of autism; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to its range of research endeavors, the |
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organization's focus includes the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment |
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Network, the Autism Speaks Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, and |
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various other scientific and clinical programs, as well as |
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awareness initiatives like the Light it Up Blue project; moreover, |
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members of its Government Relations Team have successfully |
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campaigned in behalf of federal legislation concerning persons with |
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autism, in particular insurance reform to cover behavioral |
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treatments; and |
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WHEREAS, On April 30, 2013, representatives of the Autism |
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Society of America and Autism Speaks are joining with other |
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concerned individuals from across the state in Austin to observe |
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Texas Autism Awareness Day; designed to increase public |
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understanding of the rights and abilities of autistic persons and |
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to draw attention to advocacy efforts, this event is among many ways |
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that Texans and their national allies are working to foster an |
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environment of compassion, encouragement, and acceptance for all |
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those touched by autism; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 30, 2013, as Autism Awareness |
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Day at the State Capitol and commend the Autism Society of America |
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and Autism Speaks for their many meaningful contributions; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared |
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for the Autism Society of America and Autism Speaks as an expression |
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of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |