Whereas, April is celebrated nationally as Autism Awareness Month, and April 27
as Autism Awareness Day, these are both excellent opportunities to educate the
public about the impact of autism on citizens and to promote treatment methods
and research developments; and,
Whereas, Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that typically appears
during the first three years of life and while some children are born with autism,
many children do not acquire autism until the second or third year of life; and,
Whereas, Autism results from a neurological disorder that affects brain functioning
which interferes with communication, learning, behavior and social development;
and although a cure for autism has not been found, with proper treatment and intensive
therapy autistic children are able to reach their full greatest potential; and,
Whereas, Michigan has experienced a 100 percent increase in autism in the last
5 years, occurring in approximately one of every 250 individuals, including
one of every 63 children in Special Education in Michigan; and,
Whereas, At the recent International Meeting For Autism Research Conference,
noted autism epidemiologist Dr. Eric Fombonne stated that the prevalence of
autism is now one of every 147 individuals, and further showed that the prevalence
of autism has increased between 600 percent and 3400 percent; and,
Whereas, According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, autism
enrollment will be 55.9 million students by the year 2005, with at least 800,000
educational personal needed to serve these students; and,
Whereas, Autism Spectrum Disorders are more common than Downs Syndrome, Diabetes,
Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis and many forms of Childhood Cancer and autism
is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and has been found throughout
the world in families of all racial, ethnic and social backgrounds; and,
Whereas, Over the past 30 years, significant progress has been made in the areas
of research, medicine, diagnostic issues, and therapies for autism, resulting
in improved quality of life for those with autism and their loved ones and accurate,
early diagnosis and the resulting appropriate education and intervention are
vital to the future growth and development of the individual; and,
Whereas, Unlocking Autism along with many other State representatives is making
plans for Autism Awareness rallies, conferences and other various actives to
promote Autism Awareness throughout the month of April; and now therefore be
it
Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State
of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April, 2003, as Autism Awareness Month in Michigan
and encourage efforts to promote awareness of and fostering for the understanding
of autism.
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