Скачать или смотреть Orange County Delegation: Nicole Grabner Calls for a Unified Legal Definition of Autism

Nicole Grabner, a disabled veteran, mother of two autistic children, and founder of One Voice Brevard, speaks before the Orange County Legislative Delegation to call for consistency and accuracy in how the State of Florida defines autism.

Nicole shares that she discovered at least three different definitions of autism in Florida statutes, some of which haven’t been updated in over 30 years. She emphasizes that doctors diagnose — agencies do not, and that state law should reflect current clinical standards by aligning with the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

To address this, Nicole has authored draft legislation titled “Sienna’s Chance Act,” named after her daughter, which is currently in House bill drafting. The goal is to establish one unified, clinically accurate definition of autism across all Florida statutes, ensuring that individuals and families can access services without confusion or contradiction.

Her testimony reminds lawmakers that awareness is not enough — understanding, consistency, and action are needed to create real progress for families navigating the autism spectrum.

Key themes:
• Autism advocacy and awareness
• Legal consistency across Florida statutes
• Clinical accuracy and DSM alignment
• Family voice in policymaking
• Legislative leadership for autism reform

Families across Florida are uniting to make their voices heard. Visit flddadvocacy.org
to share your story and be part of this growing movement.