HR0043LRB097 06499 NHT 46582 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex
3developmental disability that causes problems with social
4interaction and communication; symptoms usually start before
5age 3 and can cause delays or problems in many different skills
6that develop from infancy to adulthood; and
 
7    WHEREAS, One of the primary characteristics of ASD is its
8interference with a person's ability to communicate, interact
9socially with others, or develop peer relationships; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Parents and teachers of children with
11disabilities recognize the social isolation these children
12face, isolation that is well-documented by researchers; and
 
13    WHEREAS, While the severity of the disorder and social
14impairment varies widely, in some cases, certain symptoms of
15the disorder may be relieved by pairing a public school student
16with ASD with a student "peer buddy" whom the school staff has
17identified as a good match and a positive role model for other
18students; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Peer buddy programs have been successful in many
20school districts in this State, and their use should be
21encouraged throughout this State; and
 

 

 

HR0043- 2 -LRB097 06499 NHT 46582 r

1    WHEREAS, Pairing a student with ASD with a student partner
2whose role is to facilitate interactions with school staff and
3new peer groups may promote academic and social inclusion; and
 
4    WHEREAS, At the same time that researchers are proving the
5need children with disabilities have for more and better social
6contacts, they are also finding that interaction with peers
7with disabilities has positive impacts on those who do not have
8disabilities; and
 
9    WHEREAS, It is appropriate to urge the State Board of
10Education to encourage the establishment of peer buddy programs
11in school districts to pair students with ASD and other
12developmental disabilities with appropriate student partners;
13therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
15NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16we urge the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
17Executive Director of the Illinois Council on Developmental
18Disabilities and representatives of entities that promote
19awareness about autism and provide programs and services to
20people with autism, to encourage the establishment of a peer
21buddy program in each school district for children with autism
22spectrum disorder enrolled in elementary, middle, and high

 

 

HR0043- 3 -LRB097 06499 NHT 46582 r

1school, including training for students and staff affiliated
2with the program; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
4delivered to the State Board of Education, the Autism Society
5of Illinois, Giant Steps, Little Friends Center for
6Autism-Naperville, and the Illinois Council on Developmental
7Disabilities.