WHEREAS, April 2023 is National Autism Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges. People with ASD may communicate, interact, behave and learn in ways that are different from typical people; and
WHEREAS, A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger Syndrome. These conditions are now called Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD; and
WHEREAS, About 1 in 44 children has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to the CDC. ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. ASD is 4 times more common among boys than among girls; and
WHEREAS, in the CNMI, there are currently 191 students in both public and private schools who have been identified with ASD; 160 males, 31 females; and
WHEREAS, ASD can sometimes be detected at 18 months of age or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered reliable. However, many children do not receive a final diagnosis until much older. Some people are not diagnosed until they are adolescents or adults. This delay means that people with ASD might not get the early help they need; and
WHEREAS, Research shows that early intervention treatment services can improve a child’s development. Early intervention services help children from birth to 3 years old learn important skills. Services can include therapies to help the child talk, walk, interact with others, communicate, and control behaviors, including physical aggression and self-injury behavior; and
WHEREAS, during the month of April, we strive to promote autism awareness, acceptance, inclusion, and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with ASD is provided an opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DAVID M. APATANG, Acting Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, do hereby proclaim April 2023 as
NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
I encourage all families in the CNMI to raise awareness and acceptance for children and adults who are on the autism spectrum and to take part in the appropriate programs and planned events of this month.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand on this 3rd day of April 2023.
/s/
DAVID M. APATANG
Acting Governor
###
