PLACERVILLE, Calif. —
A long-standing El Dorado County family with deep historical roots and a legacy of community service has been recognized at the state level following the passage of California Senate Resolution 89, establishing March 17 as Profound Autism Day in California.
The resolution, authored by Marie Alvarado-Gil and unanimously approved by the California State Senate on March 26, 2026, was inspired in part by the advocacy efforts of the Soracco family of El Dorado County.
“Let’s make sure that the most vulnerable in our Golden State have the services they need and deserve,” wrote community member Todd White in a public statement praising the family’s work. “Truly the best family in El Dorado County.”
Local Advocacy Reaches State Capitol
The Soracco family, whose roots in the region date back to the Gold Rush era, has become a leading voice in raising awareness for individuals living with profound autism—a population often underserved within broader autism policy frameworks.
Their advocacy is deeply personal. Their daughter, Angie, lives with profound autism, a condition requiring lifelong, round-the-clock care. Their efforts helped bring visibility to a segment of the autism community that experts say has historically been overlooked in both research and services.
Under SR 89, California formally recognizes “profound autism,” a classification first defined by the Lancet Commission in 2021. The term applies to individuals who require continuous care, often have significant intellectual disabilities, and may have limited or no verbal communication.
Addressing Critical Gaps in Care
According to the resolution, approximately 26.7% of individuals on the autism spectrum fall into the profound category. Despite this, only a small fraction—about 6%—have been represented in clinical research studies.
The measure calls for expanded research, improved access to specialized services, and increased awareness of the unique challenges faced by families caring for individuals with high-support needs.
Advocacy organizations, including the Profound Autism Alliance, have described the designation as a critical first step toward meaningful policy change.
A Family Legacy Beyond Advocacy
The Soracco name carries historical weight across El Dorado County and Northern California.
Charles Vincent Soracco, a prominent physician who practiced in Placerville for nearly seven decades, was a central figure in the family’s local legacy. His lineage traces back to Italian immigrant gold miners and early merchants in nearby Sutter Creek, where the Soracco and Brignole families operated major general stores during the mining era.
Today, that legacy extends beyond commerce and medicine into public service and advocacy.
A History Marked by Both Legacy and Loss
The Soracco name is also tied to one of El Dorado County’s enduring mysteries—the disappearance of Julie Elizabeth Soracco.
Julie, 15, vanished in Placerville in the summer of 1977 while reportedly walking between homes. Her case remained largely dormant for decades until a formal missing persons report was filed in 2019 by a family member, prompting renewed attention from state and regional authorities. She is still listed as an endangered missing person.
Statewide Impact
With the adoption of SR 89, California joins a growing number of states recognizing the need for targeted awareness and policy initiatives focused specifically on profound autism.
For families like the Soraccos, the designation represents more than symbolic recognition—it signals a shift toward addressing systemic gaps in care and resources.
As lawmakers and advocates continue to push for expanded services, the voices from El Dorado County are now resonating across the state.
