Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 76
CHAPTER 53
Relative to Autism Treatment Awareness Month.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
May 10, 2002.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 76, Ackerman.
Autism Treatment Awareness Month.
This measure would proclaim the month of April 2002, as Autism Treatment Awareness Month, and acknowledge the contributions made in the area of early autism intervention treatment by experts in the field and the families involved. This measure would also, among other things, urge the United States Department of Health and Human Services to continue to press for the swift and full implementation of the Children’s Health Act of 2000.
Digest Key
WHEREAS, Autism is a physical disorder of the brain that can cause a lifelong developmental disability; and
WHEREAS, In the United States there are at least 750,000 people with autism; and
WHEREAS, Only 10 years ago, it was estimated that autism affected one out of 10,000 children; two years ago, it was estimated that autism affected one out of 500 children; and current estimates are that autism affects one out of 300 children nationwide and, in some areas of the country, the rate is as high as one out of 150 children; and
WHEREAS, In California we are adding on average eight new children a day, seven days a week, with autism to California’s Developmental Services System; and
WHEREAS, The diagnosis and treatment of autism may require assessment and intervention by a multidisciplinary team of experts; and
WHEREAS, The early intervention behavior analysis programs have shown that a program of intensive early intervention treatment that focuses on a multidisciplinary approach relying in large part on family and community participation can produce a positive outcome; and
WHEREAS, Current research being conducted into the biological causes and treatment regimens for autism, like that being undertaken at the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute (M.I.N.D.) at the University of California at Davis, are showing great promise and therefore should be encouraged and supported; and
WHEREAS, The University of California at Irvine, Department of Pediatrics, has developed a project “For O.C. Kids” that will address the need for increased awareness and intervention for children with developmental disorders, particularly autism; and
WHEREAS, Family based organizations, such as the Sacramento area Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT), the Autism Society of America, Cure Autism Now (CAN), and the southern California area Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), provide invaluable resources and support for autistic children and their families; and
WHEREAS, Additional special education teachers and curriculum for autistic children are needed, as well as behavioral specialists, occupational speech therapists, and medical professionals, to ultimately reduce the risk of institutionalization of autistic children; and
WHEREAS, Parental involvement, community integration, early intervention, increased acceptance of children with special needs, and systematic treatment are all key components that would help make a more favorable future likely for children with autism; and
WHEREAS, Heightened awareness and education about autism help to achieve these components; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the month of April 2002, as Autism Treatment Awareness Month, and acknowledges the contributions made in the area of early autism intervention treatment by experts in the field as well as the families involved; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature continues to support research into the causes and treatment of autism at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes that the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute is unique in investigating autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, and that collaborations between researchers and scientists at UC Davis bring a wealth of resources to study the gamut of neurodevelopmental disorders and to design and test potential treatments; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature supports the goal of increasing federal funding for aggressive research to learn the root causes of autism, to identify the best methods of prevention, early intervention, and treatment, and to promote understanding of the special needs of autistic persons; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature urges the United States Department of Health and Human Services to continue to press for the swift and full implementation of the Children’s Health Act of 2000, particularly the establishment of not less than three “Centers of Excellence” at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and not less than five “Centers of Excellence” at the National Institutes of Health, in order to monitor the prevalence of autism at a national level, leading to a better understanding of autism and related disorders; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, the State Department of Developmental Services, Area Board III, the State Department of Education, local chapters of the Autism Society, regional centers, the Association of Regional Center Agencies, Protection and Advocacy, Inc., the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, For O.C. Kids, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California School Boards Association, the Developmental Disabilities Council, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.