IL HR0205

Declares April 2017 as Autism Awareness Month in Illinois to promote awareness and education about autism spectrum disorders among government entities and citizens

Recognizes that autism spectrum disorders affect individuals across all racial, ethnic, economic, and social groups and are five times more common in boys than girls, typically appearing in the first three years of life

Notes that autism spectrum disorders have increased tenfold in the past decade and now occur in approximately one in 42 boys in the United States, making them more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined

Acknowledges The Autism Program of Illinois, created in 2003 in partnership with The Hope Institute for Children and Families, as the nation's largest statewide network for supporting families and training educators and healthcare providers on autism

Directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to the Autism Program of Illinois