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Proclamation declaring April 2, 2016 as “World Autism Awareness Day” and April 2016 to be “Autism Awareness Month” in Allegheny County.
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WHEREAS, autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, currently affecting more than three million people across the country, and is an urgent public health crisis that demands a national response; and
WHEREAS, autism is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the human brain, and can affect anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic background; and
WHEREAS, symptoms and characteristics of autism may present themselves in a variety of combinations and can result in significant lifelong impairment of an individual’s ability to learn, develop healthy interactive behaviors, and understand verbal as well as nonverbal communication; and
WHEREAS, while the effort to address autism continues, doctors, therapists, and educators can help persons with autism overcome or adjust to its challenges by providing early, accurate diagnoses and the resulting appropriate education, intervention, and therapy that are so vital to an affected individual’s growth and development; and
WHEREAS, it should be the shared goal of all residents of our county to ensure that persons living with autism have access to the lifelong care and services needed to pursue the fullest measure of personal happiness and achieve their greatest potential; and
WHEREAS, Allegheny County is honored to take part in the annual observance of Autism Awareness Month and World Autism Awareness Day in the hope that it will lead to a better understanding of the disorder in our community and beyond;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Allegheny County Council hereby asks for all County residents to help raise the public awareness of autism and the many issues surrounding the disorder, and does hereby declare April 2, 2016 as “World Autism Awareness Day” and April 20...
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