HR693: HR693 Profound Autism Day; March 17, 2025; recognize

This House resolution recognizes March 17, 2025, as Profound Autism Day in Georgia. It explains that the term 'profound autism' describes autistic individuals who need 24/7 care from an adult caregiver and who may also have severe intellectual disabilities or little to no language ability. The resolution 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 fall into this profound autism category. The resolution notes that people with profound autism, and their caregivers, often face isolation and are frequently left out of research and support programs. It does not create any new law, funding, or program. It simply has the House of Representatives officially recognize the day and directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and the press.

• Formally recognizes March 17, 2025, as Profound Autism Day through a resolution of the Georgia House of Representatives.
• Cites CDC findings that about 26.7 percent of 8-year-old children with autism in the United States have profound autism.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or programs; it is a symbolic statement rather than a change to Georgia law.

The resolution most directly concerns people with profound autism and their families and caregivers, since it highlights their need for lifelong 24/7 care and their frequent exclusion from research and support programs.

While the resolution does not change any law or provide funding, it gives official recognition to the specific challenges faced by people with profound autism and their caregivers, potentially raising public awareness of a group the text says is often excluded from research and support.

• The whereas clauses describe profound autism as affecting autistic individuals who need 24/7 adult caregiving throughout their lives.
• Cites an April 2023 CDC study finding 26.7 percent of 8-year-old children with autism in the United States have profound autism.
• Notes that children with profound autism were more likely to be female, from racial or ethnic minority groups, of low socioeconomic status, born preterm or with low birth weight, and to have self-injurious behaviors or seizure disorders.
• The resolving clause has the House of Representatives recognize March 17, 2025, as Profound Autism Day.
• A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2025-03-21House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-21House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-21House Hopper (House)

• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)Primary sponsor
• Martin Momtahan (R, HD-017)
• Mitchell Scoggins (R, HD-014)
• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)
• Bill Yearta (R, HD-152)
• Danny Mathis (R, HD-133)

• autism awareness
• disability support
• Georgia House resolution
• caregiving