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Recognizing April 2012 as Autism Awareness Month in honor of the individuals diagnosed and living with Autism along with their caregivers and families.
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WHEREAS, April has consistently been celebrated as National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s; and
WHEREAS, Autism is a spectrum disorder, typically diagnosed within the first three years of a child's life, that impairs an individual's ability to learn healthy and socially accepted interactive behaviors and to understand verbal, nonverbal and reciprocal communication; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has been an international leader in the fight for individuals with autism. Under the Department of Public Welfare, the Office of Developmental Programs was created along with the Bureau of Autism Services; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Bureau of Autism Services provides services, training and information for Pennsylvanians living with autism; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, the Center for Disease Control issued an autism prevalence report which indicated that one in every 110 children born in the United States are diagnosed with Autism representing 13 million families. The prevalence among boys is one in every 70 births; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Autism Services issued a first of its kind census report that indicated the number of Pennsylvanians living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is expected to increase by 1,200% by the year 2020; and
WHEREAS, As adolescents age into adulthood, the prevalence of adults living with autism is expected to skyrocket adding an extra burden on federal, state and local governments to do their fair share in aiding families and individuals living with autism through services, training and information; and
WHEREAS, While no cure has been found, it is the responsibility of governments to come to the aid of these vulnerable citizens and their families; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,That we hereby recognize April 2012 as Autism Awareness Month in honor of the individuals diagnosed and living with Autism along with their caregivers and families.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Kathleen Brown-McHale, of Special People In Northeast (SPIN), as evidence of the respect and admiration of this legislative body for the work they do in their advocacy and service for individuals and families living with Autism.
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