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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING APRIL 2015 AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, Nearly a quarter century ago, the Autism Society launched a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion, and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with autism is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life, and
WHEREAS, Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that no two people with autism are affected in the same way, and it is a complex developmental disability that usually appears during the first three years of life, and
WHEREAS, Autism results in a neurological disorder that affects how the brain functions as well as the development of social and communication abilities, and
WHEREAS, One in 68 children is diagnosed with this spectrum disorder and its prevalence has increased thirty percent since 2008, and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that 1,500,000 people live with autism spectrum disorder in the United States, and
WHERAS, the Autism Society estimates that the United States is facing almost $90 billion annually in costs for autism, and
WHEREAS, while a single specific cause of autism is not yet known, current research links it to biological or neurological differences in the brain, and outdated theories and myths, such as autism being a mental illness, have been scientifically proven to be false, and
WHEREAS, with support and understanding, people with autism can live full lives and make meaningful contributions to society; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize April 2015 as Autism Awareness Month in Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and an official copy of same be presented to the Autism Society of Illinois.end