The law will fill in the gaps in learning opportunities by offering an extra year of Early Steps and a specialized summer program.
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a major bill aimed at increasing early detection and intervention for children with autism. The legislation, widely praised by advocates and lawmakers alike, is designed to address long-standing concerns surrounding access to early services and support. It also works to fill in the gaps in children’s education with specialized programs that can help address developmental needs before kindergarten.
The law expands the state’s Early Steps program, allowing eligible children to continue receiving services until age 4, instead of cutting off support at age 3. For many parents, this change could be life-changing—providing a critical bridge between early diagnosis and entry into the public school system. By focusing on early intervention and extending eligibility, the law aims to give children more time to reach key developmental milestones.
Angela Nandin has three sons with autism. They’re thriving, she says.
“And they’re thriving in their own ways. And I am their voice,” says Nandin. “It is hard to understand them. But they are still thriving for who they are and where they are in life. And they’re happy. And my husband and I are constantly educating ourselves in how to understand them better so we can meet their need so that they can have the best life they possibly can have.”
A fierce advocate, Nandin is known affectionately as “Big Ange” — even in the halls of the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. She’s earned that nickname, she says, because she “gets the job done.” With twin sons who are now 12 and a younger son who is 10, Nandin’s journey as a parent has been defined by vigilance, love, and persistence.
She discovered her children’s autism early in their development because she was paying “very close attention.”
“We weren’t meeting milestones,” she says, “and we did early intervention, and that’s how they got diagnosed.”
That early intervention, Nandin emphasizes, was essential in helping her sons develop and thrive. It gave them access to therapies and professionals who could guide their growth during the most critical developmental window. Stories like hers are why she strongly supports the new legislation.
The law expands free screening and early detection opportunities, which Nandin sees as a necessary step forward. It also directs the state Department of Health to apply for federal approval to extend eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This change means that children with developmental delays or disabilities can continue receiving early intervention services under the Early Steps Program until the child turns 4—offering continuity of care that many experts say is key to long-term success.
Stephanie Nordin also supports the legislation. She has four teenage sons, and the two oldest—now 15—have what she describes as “severe” autism.
“They had to wear helmets. When they would get frustrated for not being able to communicate their needs, they would just bang their head into the concrete, a wall, whatever,” she says. “They slept in safety beds so that in the middle of the night, they wouldn’t hurt themselves. They have neurological differences which impact their ability to understand when they’re tired, so they don’t sleep very much.”
Nordin has channeled her personal experiences into public advocacy. She is the founder and executive director of Autism Collier Resource Center and co-founder of Autism Collier Charter School. In addition to running these organizations, she leads an advocacy group focused on helping families of kids with autism navigate systems like the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
She recalls the long and difficult process of securing the right services for her sons.
“The boys have been on a wait list for years to get services they need to be able to have a meaningful life – and even those services have been very difficult to navigate,” she says. “We do have a crisis of insufficient workforce.”
Still, despite the challenges, Nordin finds joy in parenting her sons.
“They are purely joyful. There’s no inhibitions. They’re purely mad, too,” she says, laughing. “But I know what I get with my boys, and they are sweet, wonderful young men who I am wildly excited to see transition into their next phase of life. … But it has been a road.”
Her twins were diagnosed at just one year old, thanks to the attention of a close friend who works as a pediatric nurse. That early identification was crucial, she says, and it underscores the importance of equipping more community members with the skills needed to recognize signs of autism.
That’s why she supports another key provision in the law: training for educators and support staff. Under the new law, the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment will develop a microcredential for instructional personnel. This will give teachers and staff the tools to better support students with autism in the classroom.
“So, that’s the design of the bill: Let’s get these kids help at the earliest possible moment of intervention, and let’s make it quality,” Nordin said. “Having that microcredential for the workforce is not just going to help the kids, it’s going to help the workforce.”
This bill was a priority for Senate President Ben Albritton. His personal connection to the cause emerged during the legislative session, when he learned that his grandson, Brooks, has autism.
“The good news is that many of the things that we’ve learned through all of this is already yielding results,” Albritton said. “But I’m convinced at this point that the biggest reason we’ve been through all this in the Legislature is because of him. … We didn’t know it. But it’s presenting itself now. And it’s good. It’s all good.”
Albritton emphasized his continued commitment to helping children with autism and their families. While this new law represents meaningful progress, he acknowledges it’s only the beginning. He says he’s ready to build on this foundation in the next legislative session, ensuring more resources, better access, and stronger support for those who need it most.
By combining early intervention, educator training, and increased access to services, the law marks a critical turning point in how Florida approaches autism care and support. And for advocates like Nandin, Nordin, and Albritton, it’s a sign that their voices — and their children’s needs — are finally being heard.
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