SR433: SR433 Profound Autism Day; recognize March 17, 2025

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes March 17, 2025, as Profound Autism Day, a day meant to highlight the needs of people with profound autism, a term used for autistic individuals who require 24/7 care from an adult caregiver throughout their lives. The resolution's preamble cites a 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study finding that about 26.7 percent of 8-year-old children with autism in the United States have profound autism, and notes that these individuals and their caregivers often face isolation and exclusion from research and support programs. The Senate resolves to recognize the day and directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.

• Formally designates March 17, 2025, as Profound Autism Day in a Senate resolution.
• States findings from a 2023 CDC study reporting that 26.7 percent of 8-year-old children with autism have profound autism.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties; it is a symbolic recognition, not a change to Georgia law.

People with profound autism, meaning autistic individuals who need 24/7 adult caregiving, and their families and caregivers, along with autism researchers and advocacy groups who work on support programs referenced in the resolution's preamble.

While the resolution does not create programs or funding, it gives official recognition to the specific challenges faced by people with profound autism and their caregivers, which advocates say are often overlooked in broader autism research and support efforts.

• The preamble explains that profound autism describes autistic individuals needing 24/7 adult care, distinguishing them from the broader autism spectrum.
• Cites a 2023 CDC prevalence study finding 26.7 percent, or about one in four, of 8-year-olds with autism have profound autism.
• The resolving clause recognizes March 17, 2025, as Profound Autism Day.
• A further resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-03-21Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-20Senate Hopper (Senate)

• John Albers (R, SD-056)Primary sponsor
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)

• autism awareness
• disability support
• Georgia Senate resolutions
• caregiving