Declare Asperger's Syndrome Day

May 12, 2017, 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 conditions 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 memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 12, 2017, 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; for many years, children were typically diagnosed between the ages of 8 and 11; with improved diagnostic tools and better informed providers, children as young as pre-school are now being diagnosed and receiving treatment; 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 significantly 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 clumsiness; 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 proclaim May 12, 2017, 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 transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.