* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Mosby
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Autism Awareness Month - April 2012
FOR the purpose of joining the international efforts to raise awareness of the autism crisis and impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention to families affected by autism by recognizing April as Autism Awareness Month.
body
Recitals
Today, 1 to 1.5 million Americans, including 1% of U.S. children between the ages of 3 and 17, live with an autism spectrum disorder, according to Autism Society figures. Also according to those figures, over the last 20 years, autism has been the fastest growing developmental disorder, with a shocking 1,148% growth rate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown. And yet, autism remains a poorly understood disorder that gets much less attention and funding than many far less prevalent diseases.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.
In 10 years, if nothing is done to change current trends, autism's annual costs to society could rise from the current $60 - $90 billion a year to as much as $400 billion. However, early diagnosis and intervention can both greatly improve the quality of life for those affected by autism, and reduce the life-time costs of their care by 2/3.
In an effort to help more families affected by autism realize these benefits, in 2007 the United Nations General Assembly declared April 2nd to be World Autism Awareness Day. Since then, activists worldwide have used the month of April to shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health concern through activities to help increase and develop world knowledge of the autism crisis and impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. Additionally, World Autism Day and Autism Awareness Month celebrate the unique talents and skills of people with autism, and feature community events around the world where individuals with autism and their families are warmly welcomed and embraced.
These efforts have spread to events in more than 65 countries on six continents, including events right here in Baltimore. Together, these events have proven to be effective in raising awareness, and steering families toward the resources that are available to help children affected by autism get the most out of their lives.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Council joins in the international efforts to raise awareness of the autism crisis and impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention to families affected by autism by recognizing April as Autism Awareness Month.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, the Health Commissioner, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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