LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare
May 12, 2014, as Asperger's Syndrome Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare May 12, 2014, as Asperger's
Syndrome Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, Dr. Hans Asperger was the first to describe this
syndrome as a mild, high-functioning disorder on the autism spectrum;
and
WHEREAS, The medical community developed diagnostic skills that have
led to better and earlier diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome since the
early 1990s; although young children may be diagnosed, most typically
children are diagnosed between the ages of 8 and 11; and
WHEREAS, Many adults have not been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome
although they display the typical symptoms; Asperger's Syndrome is
generally considered to have a strong genetic component with a signif-
icantly higher percentage of males; and
WHEREAS, Characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome include: impairments
in socialization and communication; difficulty in interpersonal
relations; unawareness of people's feelings and responses; problems
reading facial expressions and voice inflections; narrow interests;
repetitive routines, speech and language peculiarities; motor clumsi-
ness; and strong interest in systems; in addition, many people with
Asperger's are savant in either math, music or the arts; and
WHEREAS, Asperger's Syndrome does not go away, and children do not
"grow out" of it; there is no cure; and
WHEREAS, Schools must be cognizant of bullying of Asperger's students
who are often ridiculed as "weird" or "geeks"; and
WHEREAS, Treatment and therapy must be directed at development of
social skills recognizing no two individuals with Asperger's Syndrome
are exactly alike; medication may be necessary to help with depression
and anxiety; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health syndrome, and more must be done to increase activity
at the State, local and national levels to support the patients as well
as their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare May 12, 2014, as
Asperger's Syndrome Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.