PHILADELPHIA, April 18, 2016 –Councilman Derek S. Green introduced legislation to hold hearings regarding a continuation of efforts to expand services for children and adults with Autism by groups like the Philadelphia Autism Project.
April is National Autism Awareness Month, a time to educate our community about Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently found that 1 in 68 children meet the criteria for Autism nationwide. The 2014 Pennsylvania Census Report identified over 4,167 individuals in Philadelphia County with Autism receiving services, more than double the previously documented number, and the majority of whom are between the ages of 5-17 years old, with the number of adults over 21 years old increasing as the population ages.
The Philadelphia Autism Project was launched in 2014 by former Philadelphia Councilman-At-Large Dennis M. O’Brien in partnership with Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services to address the growing need for local resources for individuals with Autism and their families.
| WHO: | Councilman Derek S. Green |
| WHERE: | Philadelphia City Council Chambers – City Hall, Room 400 |
| WHEN: | April 21-22, 2016 – 2:00 p.m. |
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Councilman Derek S. Green, Esquire is currently serving his first term as an At Large member of Philadelphia City Council. Green is Chair of Council’s Committee on the Disabled and Persons with Special Needs. More information at www.phlcouncil.com/DerekGreen
