Designates March 17 of each year as "Profound Autism Day."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris DePhillips and 1 co-sponsor

Designates March 17 as Profound Autism Day in NJ and urges the governor to issue annual proclamations, raising awareness for people with profound autism and their adult caregivers.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Health Committee

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AJR 220 (New Jersey) – Summary

Overview

AJR 220 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on March 20, 2025, designated as a concurrent measure requesting recognition of a special day. It designates March 17 of each year as “Profound Autism Day” in New Jersey and asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation acknowledging this day. The resolution takes effect immediately.

Purpose and Intent

To raise awareness of the experiences, challenges, and needs of people with profound autism and their caregivers.

To acknowledge that profound autism represents a distinct subset within the autism spectrum, often involving lifelong caregiving needs around the clock.

Key Provisions

Designation: March 17 of every year is designated as “Profound Autism Day” in New Jersey.

Governor’s Proclamation: The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing March 17 as Profound Autism Day.

Effective Date: The joint resolution takes effect immediately.

Background and Context

The bill defines profound autism as a subset of autism that may involve severe intellectual disability or minimal/no language and lifelong 24/7 adult caregiver support.

It notes that individuals with profound autism are frequently excluded from certain research and support programs due to their specific needs.

The accompanying statement cites a CDC prevalence study from April 2023 indicating that 26.7% of 8-year-olds with autism in the U.S. have profound autism. It also highlights associations with being female, belonging to racial/ethnic minority groups, low socioeconomic status, preterm birth or low birth weight, and higher incidences of self-injurious behaviors, seizure disorders, and lower adaptive scores among those with profound autism.

Affected Parties

Individuals with profound autism and their adult caregivers.

The broader autism advocacy and research community, by highlighting this subgroup and its needs.

State government, via annual proclamations (not through new programs or funding obligations in this resolution).

Legislative Path and Related Bills

Status: Introduced in the Assembly, referred to Assembly Health Committee.

Related: SJR 164 (companion bill in the Senate).

Potential Impact and Considerations

Primarily a symbolic recognition intended to raise awareness and support inclusion for people with profound autism and their caregivers.

The bill does not establish funding, programs, or regulatory requirements beyond the proclamation request.

If enacted, annual proclamations could help focus public attention on this subgroup and related needs, possibly informing future policy considerations.