Designates April of each year as "Autism Awareness Month" in NJ.

AJR163

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 163

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� GREGORY E. MYHRE

District 9 (Ocean)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Kanitra, Assemblywoman Flynn and Assemblyman
Sauickie

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates April of each year as �Autism Awareness
Month� in NJ.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating April as �Autism
Awareness Month� in New Jersey.

W
HEREAS
,
Autism spectrum
disorders are a group of developmental disabilities characterized by differences
in socialization, communication, and behavior that typically appear before
three years of age and continue throughout an individual�s lifetime; and

W
HEREAS
,
Autism is known as a
spectrum disorder because individuals with autism may experience a wide range
of characteristics, needs, strengths, and challenges; and

W
HEREAS
,
According to estimates
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention�s Autism and Developmental
Disabilities Monitoring Network, about one in 31 children in the United States
has been diagnosed with autism; and

W
HEREAS
,
Successful public health
initiatives have increased public awareness, improved screening efforts during child
wellness visits, and promoted acceptance of individuals with autism within
their communities; and

W
HEREAS
,
Building inclusive
communities through increased awareness helps break down barriers and reduces
stigmatization faced by individuals with autism; and

W
HEREAS
,
Individuals with autism
enrich their communities by contributing unique perspectives, talents, and
abilities; and

W
HEREAS
,
New Jersey has one of the
highest rates of autism in the nation, and the prevalence of autism in the
State continues to exceed and outpace the rate of autism in other states; and

W
HEREAS
,
New Jersey is home to
extensive resources and programs designed to support individuals with autism
and their caregivers; and

W
HEREAS
,
New Jersey recognizes
April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, a day dedicated to fostering worldwide
support for individuals with autism; and

W
HEREAS
,
It is therefore
appropriate to designate April as Autism Awareness Month in New Jersey to raise
awareness and acceptance for autism spectrum disorders; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1. The month of April of each
year shall be designated as �Autism Awareness Month� to increase awareness of
the diverse experiences of people across the autism spectrum, recognize the
many ways autism affects families, workplaces, schools and communities, its
impact on the residents of this State, and to promote further research on the
disorder.

���� 2. The Governor is respectfully
requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing April of each year as �Autism
Awareness Month� in New Jersey, and calling upon public officials and the
citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and
programs.

���� 3. This joint resolution shall
take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates April of each year as �Autism Awareness Month.�

���� Autism spectrum disorders are
a group of developmental disorders characterized by differences in
socialization, communication, and behavior that appear before three years of
age and last into adulthood.� This group of disorders are known as spectrum
disorders because individuals with autism present with a variety of
characteristics and have a range of needs, strengths, and challenges. �According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 31 children are
diagnosed with autism in the United States. �Recent public health initiatives
have increased public awareness, childhood screening, and acceptance of
individuals with autism. �Increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders
helps break down barriers and reduces the stigma that individuals with autism
face.

���� New Jersey has one of the
highest rates of autism in the United States, with rates expected to continue
to rise. �The State is home to extensive resources and programs designed to
support individuals with autism and their caregivers. �Our communities are
enriched by the unique perspectives, talents, and abilities that individuals
with autism contribute. �Due to this, it is fitting and proper to designate
April as Autism Awareness Month to increase the awareness of the� of the
diverse experiences of people across the autism spectrum, recognize the many
ways autism affects families, workplaces, schools and communities, and its
impact on the residents of this State.