Recognizing April 2025 as Autism Acceptance Month in the City of Philadelphia and commending the work of advocates who are people living with autism and who are breaking down barriers to create a truly inclusive society.

WHEREAS, April is National Autism Acceptance month, a

time to educate our communities about autism acceptance, also known as autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a result of natural variations in the human brain, rather than a disease cured. The movement advocates for several goals, including greater acceptance of autistic traits and

behaviors: services that focus on improving quality of life and well-being, rather than suppressing and masking of autistic traits, or imitations of behaviors of neurotypical peers; and

WHEREAS the 2014 Pennsylvania Autism Census Update provided by ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training) and funded by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) found that over 55,000 children and adults in PA with autism are receiving services. Data has shown that between 2009 and 2014, there was an 181% overall increase in the number of individuals with autism receiving services, and a 334% increase in adults 21+, making adults the fastest growing group; and

WHEREAS the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network data indicated that, in 2020, about 1 in 36 (2.8%) 8-year-old children were identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across the United States; yet another indicator that this Developmental Disability is, if not increasingly frequent, more likely to be diagnosed; and

WHEREAS, A recent retrospective study of a largely representational cohort of children in the Philadelphia region, whose primary healthcare is within the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (“CHOP”) Care Network, found a prevalence of ASD at 3.2% across the cohort or roughly 1 in 31 within the cohort. The average age of a child diagnosed with ASD was 3.93 years, and this is a positive result because earlier detection of ASD contributes to better social and health outcomes; and

WHEREAS, Two City Hall Art Exhibitions are open showcasing the autistic, neurodivergent artists within the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Communities. The Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia’s titled exhibition, “Neuroinclusion & Neurodiversity Under ONE Roof -The People’s Roof,” is on both the fourth floor & the second Floors of City Hall, and the Cultural Arts Center of SpArc Services Art Exhibition “Philadelphia Cultures and Connections: Artworks by People with Disabilities,” is on the third and fifth Floors of City Hall now and will be up until April 25th for The Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Recognizes April as Autism Acceptance Month in the City of Philadelphia, and commends the work of advocates who are people living with autism and who are breaking down barriers to create a truly inclusive society.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia as evidence of the admiration and respect of this body.

End