Bill > SR55

This resolution officially recognizes March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day in Kentucky, aiming to raise awareness and support for individuals with profound autism, a term used to describe autistic people who require lifelong, 24/7 care from an adult caregiver, often experiencing severe intellectual disability or minimal/no language. The resolution highlights that these individuals are frequently excluded from research and support programs due to their unique needs, referencing a 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study which found that 26.7% of children with autism have profound autism, and that these children are more likely to be female, from minority or low socioeconomic backgrounds, born preterm, and have lower adaptive scores, self-injurious behaviors, or seizure disorders. By establishing this day, the Kentucky Senate expresses its recognition and support for people with profound autism and their caregivers, acknowledging their challenges and the need for inclusion.

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/sr55.html