HR 36

                                                 Introduced Version
                   HOUSE
              RESOLUTION No. ___
   Introduced by: Olthoff, Greene, Goss-Reaves, Cash, Huston,
   Abbott, Andrade, Aylesworth, Bartels, Bartlett, Bauer, Novak,
   Clere, Criswell, Dant Chesser, Davis, Engleman, GiaQuinta,
   Haggard, Harris, Heaton, Isa, Jackson C, Judy, Lawson,
   Ledbetter, Lindauer, Miller D, Miller K, Morris, Pack, Pfaff,
   Prescott, Pressel, Pryor, Rowray, Shackleford, Soliday, Teshka,
   VanNatter, Zimmerman
                 ____________________________________
1A HOUSE RESOLUTION recognizing March 17, 2026,
2   as Profound Autism Day and April as National Autism Month.
3Whereas, Autism is a lifelong neurological condition
4   encompassing a wide range of lived experiences, and growing
5   awareness has shown that some autistic individuals require
6   minimal support while others require significant, around-the-
7   clock care;
8Whereas, The term profound autism has emerged to
9   provide clarity regarding autistic individuals with particularly
10   intensive support needs, including those who may require
11   continuous assistance from an adult caregiver and who may
12   experience significant intellectual, communication, or adaptive
13   challenges;
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1Whereas, Individuals with profound autism are frequently
2   underrepresented or excluded from research initiatives, service
3   systems, and public policy discussions due to the complexity
4   and intensity of their needs;
5Whereas, In April 2023, the Centers for Disease Control
6   and Prevention released its first national prevalence study on
7   profound autism, finding that approximately one in four
8   8-year-old children with autism in the United States meet the
9   criteria for profound autism;
10Whereas, The study also found that children with profound
11   autism are more likely to come from economically
12   disadvantaged backgrounds and, compared with children with
13   non-profound autism, often face greater medical,
14   developmental, and social challenges that increase support
15   needs and contribute to isolation for both individuals and their
16   families;
17Whereas, Individuals with profound autism and those who
18   care for them are part of our communities, and the families,
19   caregivers, educators, and professionals who support them play
20   an essential role that deserves recognition and support; and
21Whereas, Meaningful inclusion of individuals with
22   profound autism requires deliberate acknowledgment of their
23   unique challenges and a commitment to ensuring that public
24   awareness, research efforts, and support systems reflect the full
25   diversity of the autism spectrum: Therefore,
26Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the
27General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
28SECTION 1. That the Indiana House of Representatives
29   recognizes March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day, and April
30   as National Autism Month, to honor individuals with autism
31   across the spectrum, including those with profound autism, and
32   to encourage greater understanding, inclusion, and support for
33   them and for those who provide lifelong care.
34SECTION 2. That the Principal Clerk of the House of
35   Representative shall transmit copies of this resolution to State
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1   Representative Julie Olthoff for distribution.
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