HR0043 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0043 LRB097 06499 NHT 46582 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability that causes problems with social interaction and communication; symptoms usually start before age 3 and can cause delays or problems in many different skills that develop from infancy to adulthood; and

WHEREAS, One of the primary characteristics of ASD is its interference with a person's ability to communicate, interact socially with others, or develop peer relationships; and

WHEREAS, Parents and teachers of children with disabilities recognize the social isolation these children face, isolation that is well-documented by researchers; and

WHEREAS, While the severity of the disorder and social impairment varies widely, in some cases, certain symptoms of the disorder may be relieved by pairing a public school student with ASD with a student "peer buddy" whom the school staff has identified as a good match and a positive role model for other students; and

WHEREAS, Peer buddy programs have been successful in many school districts in this State, and their use should be encouraged throughout this State; and

WHEREAS, Pairing a student with ASD with a student partner whose role is to facilitate interactions with school staff and new peer groups may promote academic and social inclusion; and

WHEREAS, At the same time that researchers are proving the need children with disabilities have for more and better social contacts, they are also finding that interaction with peers with disabilities has positive impacts on those who do not have disabilities; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to urge the State Board of Education to encourage the establishment of peer buddy programs in school districts to pair students with ASD and other developmental disabilities with appropriate student partners; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Executive Director of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and representatives of entities that promote awareness about autism and provide programs and services to people with autism, to encourage the establishment of a peer buddy program in each school district for children with autism spectrum disorder enrolled in elementary, middle, and high school, including training for students and staff affiliated with the program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the State Board of Education, the Autism Society of Illinois, Giant Steps, Little Friends Center for Autism-Naperville, and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.