NJ AJR90

Designates March 17 of each year as "Profound Autism Day" in New Jersey to raise awareness of the experiences, challenges, and needs of people with profound autism and their caregivers.

Profound autism describes individuals who require 24/7 lifelong care from adult caregivers and may have severe intellectual disabilities or minimal to no language abilities.

CDC's April 2023 prevalence study found that 26.7% of 8-year-old children with autism in the United States have profound autism.

CDC research indicates children with profound autism are more likely to be female, from racial and ethnic minority groups, of low socioeconomic status, and have self-injurious behaviors or seizure disorders.

Requests the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing March 17 as "Profound Autism Day."