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A RESOLUTION DECLARING APRIL 2014 AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, April is Autism Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder characterized in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released revised figures indicating a 30 percent increase in the number of individuals diagnosed with autism since 2012 with 1 in 68 children currently diagnosed with autism; and
WHEREAS, autism is even more common among boys, affecting 1 in 42; and
WHEREAS, autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, affecting more than three million people and it is an urgent public health crisis that demands national, state, and local responses; 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, as the effort to address autism continues, doctors, therapists, and educators can help persons with autism adjust to its challenges and provide early, accurate diagnosis, and the resulting appropriate education, intervention, and therapy that are vital to future growth and development; and
WHEREAS, Brookfield Zoo, a jewel of the Forest Preserves of Cook County that is managed by the Chicago Zoological Society is advancing the role that accredited zoos play in supporting those affected by autism; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Zoological Society is supporting individuals with autism by: advancing the guest experience at Brookfield Zoo; launching the first of its kind zoo-based pilot project for early learners on the autism spectrum; and building and leveraging partnerships with organizations that include Autism Speaks, Easter Seals, Mi...
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