Florida Senate - 2018 (NP) SR 366 By Senator Campbell 38-00534-18 2018366__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution designating April 1-7, 2018, as “Autism 3 Awareness Week” in Florida. 4 5 WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong 6 developmental disability resulting in impairment of an 7 individual’s ability to learn, develop healthy interactive 8 behaviors, and understand verbal, nonverbal, and reciprocal 9 communication, and 10 WHEREAS, autism, the result of a neurological disorder 11 affecting brain function, affects one in every 68 children and 12 millions nationwide, but few understand this complex disorder, 13 and 14 WHEREAS, although no cure for autism has been found, 15 individuals with the disability can receive help to reach their 16 greatest potential with accurate, early diagnosis and 17 appropriate education and intervention, which are vital 18 components to the future growth and development of those 19 affected by the disorder, and 20 WHEREAS, support groups, such as the National Autism 21 Registry and the Florida affiliate of the Autism Society of 22 America, have dedicated years of service to their ongoing 23 efforts to promote awareness of the needs of individuals with 24 autism and to advocate for their rights, including the right to 25 dignity, respect, and appropriate education and employment, 26 while these groups also remain deeply committed to enabling 27 families, professionals, and the general public to better 28 understand the effects of this lifelong disability, and 29 WHEREAS, autism is a complex neurological disorder that 30 requires continued research to find treatment options to help 31 those affected by it and to provide families with education, 32 awareness, and acceptance, NOW, THEREFORE, 33 34 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 35 36 That April 1-7, 2018, is designated as “Autism Awareness 37 Week” in Florida and that all citizens are encouraged to 38 acknowledge the necessity for the continuing search for the 39 cause of the disorder and a concerted effort to understand and 40 support those individuals and their caregivers who are touched 41 by this disability.