New York J 385: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2, 2025, as Autism Awareness Day in the State of New York

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J00385 Summary:

BILL NOJ00385 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORMARTINS

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Go to top J00385 Actions:

BILL NOJ00385 

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02/18/2025REFERRED TO FINANCE

Go to topJ00385 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topJ00385 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topJ00385 Text:

Senate Resolution No. 385

BY: Senator MARTINS

 MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
 April 2, 2025, as Autism Awareness Day in the State
 of New York

 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

 WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2, 2025, as Autism
Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with World Autism
Awareness Day; and

 WHEREAS, The recognition of Autism Awareness Day provides an
opportunity to increase awareness and further educate the public about
autism and various issues of importance within the autism community; and

 WHEREAS, According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), 1 in 36 children in the United States, or approximately 2.8% of
children, are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); and

 WHEREAS, Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a
spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently and to varying
degrees; and

 WHEREAS, The CDC reports that 26.7% of individuals diagnosed with
ASD have profound autism, which is characterized by significant
intellectual disability, limited communication abilities, and extensive
support needs; and

 WHEREAS, Individuals with profound autism often face unique
challenges, including higher rates of self-injurious behaviors, seizure
disorders, and lower adaptive functioning, necessitating specialized
services and interventions; and

 WHEREAS, Between 2015 and 2020, the number of individuals served by
the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
(OPWDD) with a primary diagnosis of autism increased from 20,789 to
27,434, reflecting a growing need for awareness and resources within our
state; and

 WHEREAS, Autism is a disorder often with significant unmet patient
needs and is a complex developmental disability that typically appears
during the first three years of life and can affect a person's ability
to communicate and interact with others; and

 WHEREAS, Parents tend to overlook the early signs of autism spectrum
disorders, assuming their child is just going through a phase or having
an off day; and

 WHEREAS, It is important for parents to differentiate these
assumptions from the symptoms, which can present in many different

forms; autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning there can be great
variation in the way it affects people; each child on the autism
spectrum possesses unique abilities, symptoms, and challenges; and

 WHEREAS, Many children on the autism spectrum share common core
symptoms, including impaired social interactions such as reluctance to
join group activities at school, a lack of awareness of the needs of
others, and an inability to understand humor; impaired communication,
such as delays in language development, unusual repetition of words and
phrases spoken by others or on television, or significant difficulty
sustaining a conversation; and restricted interests, repetitive
behaviors, and stereotyped mannerisms, such as clapping, finger
flicking, rocking, dipping, and swaying, as well as fascination with
parts of objects or preoccupation with one narrow interest, such as
dates or numbers; and

 WHEREAS, While medications are available for some common behavioral
symptoms like irritability or anxiety, there are no FDA-approved drugs
to treat any of the core symptoms of these conditions; and

 WHEREAS, It is important to note that people with autism spectrum
disorder very often lead fulfilling lives by embracing their unique
strengths, such as attention to detail, great intellect, creativity, and
deep focus; with the right support, they pursue passions, build
meaningful relationships, and contribu