HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MARCH 17, 2026, TO BE "PROFOUND AUTISM DAY IN RHODE ISLAND"

H8305

2026 -- H 8305
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LC005902
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MARCH 17, 2026, TO BE "PROFOUND AUTISM DAY IN RHODE
ISLAND"

Introduced By:
Representatives Cruz, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, J.
Lombardi, Potter, J. Brien, Stewart, Morales, and Hopkins

Date Introduced:
March 17, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Profound Autism refers to a subset of individuals with Autism Spectrum
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Disorder who are at least eight years old, have an intellectual disability with an intelligence
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quotient less than 50 and minimal-to-no language or verbal abilities. Many have epilepsy and are
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prone to self-injury behaviors and aggression, and therefore require 24-hour supervision and
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assistance with the activities of daily living in order to be safe; and
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WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control estimates that the percentage of eight-year
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old children with profound autism among those with autism in the United States, was
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approximately 26.7 percent, which means that one in four children with autism in America have
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Profound Autism; and
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WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control also found that the percentage of children
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with profound autism was higher in girls than in boys, and was also higher in racial and ethnic
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minorities than in white children, and was more prevalent in low-income families than affluent
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families. Researchers suggest that the reason for these disparities may be that fewer children in
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these groups who are mildly affected by autism are given a diagnosis. Tragically, children with
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Profound Autism are frequently excluded from research and support programs because of their
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unique needs; and
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WHEREAS, Profound Autism Day is an event that recognizes people with Profound
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Autism and advocates for more support for them and their families and advocates for their
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inclusion in services and research. People with Profound Autism and those who care for them live

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amongst us and all too often live in isolation. They very much need our inclusion and support,
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and specific consideration of their unique challenges is vital to their well-being; now, therefore be
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it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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proclaims March 17, 2026, to be “Profound Autism Day in Rhode Island”; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ms. Judith Ursitti, Cofounder & President of
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the Profound Autism Alliance.
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LC005902
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