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 contribute to their communities; tailored
therapies, inclusive environments, and overall acceptance from others
empower individuals with ASD to thrive, fostering independence and
happiness on their own terms, and remind citizens across this state and
nation that every person's life journey is unique and valuable; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness
surrounding autism, and more must be done to increase productive
activity at the local, state, and national levels to promote
understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals with autism and
their families, as well as encourage the development of tailored
programs and services to meet their specific needs; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2, 2025, as Autism
Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York, and various autism advocacy organizations throughout the State of
New York.
