Senate Resolution No. 13

Introduced by Senator Correa

April 15, 2013

Senate Resolution No. 13—Relative to Autism Awareness Month.

WHEREAS, Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) now impact
one out of every 50 children in the United States, with an incidence
rate that is four times greater in boys, and are the fastest growing
serious developmental disability, making these disorders more
common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) combined; and

WHEREAS, The prevalence of autism is increasing by 10 to
17 percent annually and ASDs cost the nation over $35 billion per
year, and is estimated to exceed $200 billion in 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Most school districts in California have seen a
doubling of students with ASDs in the past five years. The number
of Californians with ASDs who are served by the State Department
of Developmental Services now exceeds 60,000, which is a number
that has increased fivefold since 1998, and is more than 12 times
what it was in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Many Californians are not adequately informed
about ASDs and the value and importance of early identification,
assessment, and treatment of these disorders; and

WHEREAS, Current scientific research demonstrates that the
early identification of and intervention with children with ASDs
can result in significant positive outcomes in many children with
ASDs; and

WHEREAS, Parents and family members have made invaluable
contributions through their commitment, care, and advocacy, to
important advances in research, education, and treatment for
individuals with ASDs; and

WHEREAS, Public information and awareness efforts are of
paramount importance in accelerating early identification efforts
and the proliferation of early intervention programs and services;
and

WHEREAS, The Senate Select Committee on Autism and
Related Disorders has appointed regional autism taskforces that
are comprised of consumers and their family members, advocates,
providers, researchers, and other experts in the area of ASDs, and
other stakeholders, to provide assistance to, and to support the
work of, the select committee. Senator Steinberg, as Chair of the
Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders, has
established the Statewide Taskforce on Equity and Diversity to
ensure that all Californians have equitable and fair access to
state-funded services and that these services are provided in a
linguistically and culturally competent manner; and

WHEREAS, California has been the established leader in
providing services and support for the early identification,
assessment, intervention, education, and treatment of individuals
with ASDs that began with the passage of landmark state
legislation, such as the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities
Services Act in 1977 and Assembly Bill 3854 (Chapter 1527 of
the Statutes of 1974), relating to autism and public education; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Governor Brown signed into law Senate
Bill 946 (Chapter 650 of the Statutes of 2011), California’s
landmark bill, authored by Senator Steinberg, which required health
care coverage for behavioral health treatment for children with
autism and pervasive developmental disorders; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 946 is estimated to provide coverage
for around 125,000 Californians with ASDs, with savings to
California taxpayers estimated to range from $138.8 million to
$197.8 million annually; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, by the Senate of the State of California, That the
Senate recognizes and commends the work of all nonprofit
organizations that are contributing to the well-being of individuals
with autism and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate supports the goal of increasing
research to learn the root causes of autism and identify the best
methods of early intervention and treatment, expand programs for
individuals with autism across their lifespan, and promote
understanding of the special needs of people with autism; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Senate stresses the need to identify children
with ASDs and to begin early intervention services immediately
after a child has been diagnosed with autism, and that these
services, interventions, and supports for individuals with ASDs
and their families be provided in an integrated, seamless,
comprehensive, and competent manner and delivered across the
child’s lifespan; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and commends the parents
and relatives of individuals with ASDs for their sacrifice and
dedication in providing for the special needs of individuals with
ASDs; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate is committed to providing early
screening, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment for ASDs in a
manner that is equitable for all Californians, including, but not
limited to, individuals and families who reside in underserved
communities; and be it further

Resolved, by the Senate of the State of California, That the
Senate designates April 2013 as California Autism Awareness
Month, affirms its commitment to the important issues related to
ASDs, and emphasizes that each and every individual with an ASD
is a valued and important member of our society; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit two copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.