Campaigns & Policies | Youth for Neurodiversity

Campaigns

H.R. 1111: Recognizing the importance and contributions of neurodivergent people to the United States. (Federal): Introduced by Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42] on 04/02/2024 and pending in the House (referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce); a non-binding resolution affirming the value of neurodiversity (including autism, ADHD, dyslexia), estimating 50 million+ neurodivergent Americans, and calling for inclusion and anti-ableism efforts; likely reintroduction in the 119th Congress.

H.R. 4086: Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025: Introduced by Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) in June 2025 and referred to the House Energy & Commerce Committee; establishes a 5-year pilot grant program for nonprofits and health centers to train family caregivers on mental health services for children with autism and co-occurring conditions like ADHD, with funding tied to the Autism CARES Act's goals for family support.

H.R. 2401 & S. 1071: Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE Act): Streamlines the transition from K-12 to college for students to receive disability services. Requires colleges to accept a variety of forms of documentation of a disability, including an Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan, notice from a doctor, or evaluation by a psychologist. $10 million for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities. Requires colleges to submit data on students registered for disability services for federal data collection. (fact sheet, campaign)

Bills compiled by Aashna Parsa, 11/12/2025

S-4118/S-4119/S-4120, Neurodiversity Employment Package (NJ): Introduced by Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D) in February 2025, a legislative package aims to “make the state a national leader in neurodiversity-focused policy to expand educational and employment opportunities, particularly in high-demand sectors like STEM and artificial intelligence.

Tech Talent Pipeline (S-4119): Accessibility Coordinator Pilot Program at three county colleges for tailored academic advising, resource navigation, and employer connections for neurodiverse students. Educator inclusivity training in all 18 county colleges.
Neurodiverse Employment Tax Incentive (S-4120): Tax credits to employers hiring neurodiverse individuals in STEM and AI roles.
Inclusive Workspaces Initiative (S-4118): Small Business Workplace Inclusion Grants and Employer Tax Credits for workplace modifications, including sensory-friendly layouts and adaptive equipment.

A8351 (NY): Establishes the right of non-speaking developmentally and otherwise disabled individuals to advocate for themselves in educational, medical, legal, and other decisions by using alternative forms of communication, such as spelling boards, typing-based communication, sign language, and speech-generating devices.

S6780 (NY): Requires each school district to provide interventions and special curricula for children with dyslexia or other phonological learning differences or disabilities.

S7615 (NY): Expands Medicaid coverage to include neuropsychological exams for dyslexia.

S.8059 (NY) : Blue Envelope Program for Neurodivergent Individuals (New York): Introduced January 8, 2025, in Assembly; establishes a program providing blue envelopes for neurodivergent persons (autism, Tourette's, ADHD) to hold ID and documents during police interactions, plus mandatory training for officers on de-escalation and safety.

AB-A38 (NY): Neurodiversity Training Pledge (New York): Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

S.4593 (NY): Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers that have taken the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

S. 5495 (NY): Neurodiversity Awareness Training: Directs the department of labor, in consultation with the division of human rights and the department of health to produce a model training program on neurodiversity awareness.

S. 5169 (NY): Neurodiversity Awareness Flag (New York): Introduced by Sen. John Mannion (D) in 2023, reintroduced for 2025 session and pending; designates an official "Neurodiversity Flag" for state awareness days, developed by the Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board to combat stigma for autism, ADHD, and other differences.

S. 4174 (NY): Advisory Panel on Autism Insurance Coverage (New York): Introduced by Sen. Karen Parker (D) in February 2025, referred to Insurance Committee; requires health insurers to cover autism prevention, diagnosis, and treatments (including co-occurring ADHD/dyslexia), with an advisory panel compiling annual covered options and a 24/7 family hotline.

Already passed

SB 939 (CA): Educational Equity for Neurodivergent Pupils (California): Authored by Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), signed September 28, 2024, effective January 1, 2025; adds neurodiversity (autism, ADHD, dyslexia) as a protected category in anti-bullying policies, requires teacher training via UC/CSU Collaborative by 2025–26, and mandates school website resources for families. Chino High School student, Lawrence Kim, was instrumental in defining and getting this bill passed with the office of Sen. Umberg.

AB 438 (CA): IEP Alternatives for Dysgraphia/ADHD (California): Sponsored by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D), signed September 2024, effective July 2025; mandates IEPs for grades 7–12 to include alternative instruction means and modes (e.g., assistive aids) for neurodivergent students to meet graduation standards.

AB 560 (CA): Special education reforms: Aims to prevent overburdening of resource specialists. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to recommend a maximum adult-to-pupil staffing on or by on or before July 1, 2027 and publish on department website.

AB 951 (CA): This bill would prohibit health care service plans or insurers from requiring an individual previously diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder or autism to receive a rediagnosis to maintain coverage for behavioral health treatment, effective January 1, 2026.

Bills originall compiled by Aashna Parsa, 11/12/2025

Last updated, 11/13/2025

What's IDEA?

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that requires the government to provide free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for children and youth (ages 3-21), up to high school graduation.

Under IDEA, pre-K, elementary, middle, and high schools must offer individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with learning differences in the least restrictive environment (LRE), meaning IEP students can't be stuck in isolated classes or restricted from learning with their peers. To obtain an IEP, parents work with school and district officials. IDEA is a big deal. Learn more here.

What’s FAPE?
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) is our right under IDEA. It means school has to be free and must offer education in a way that includes neurodivergent teens with different differences.

What’s an IEP?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) required under IDEA is the document that lists what the student's strengths are, what they need help with, and what the school will do, like extra time on tests, a quieter spot to work, assistive technologies, or speech therapy, etc., depending on the learning differences. Getting an IEP takes time. Parents have to get students evaluated and approved by working with the school and local district officials. Learn more here.

What’s a 504 Plan?
A 504 Plan comes from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a civil rights law. The 504 Plan is like a lighter version of an IEP for when students don’t need a full-on IEP but still need some "accommodations." These can include getting extra time for homework or tests, a seat away from distractions, assistive technologies, etc. Learn more here.

So, what happens after high school? What law protects neurodivergent college students?

After high school, college students need to self-advocate to receive support for learning differences by contacting their college's "disability" services departments. Those protections are under a different law called ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

What’s the ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law, broader than IDEA. It protects neurodivergent and differently able people from discrimination in most settings such as, schools, colleges, businesses, and government offices. Religious entities that are exempt from ADA but receive federal funding are still required to offer protections under a different law (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act). In a nutshell, college students are able to receive support from the "disability" services departments at colleges. However, they need to self-advocate and seek these out. Check out resources on transition to colleges, including ND-friendly colleges and questions to ask.

By the way, since the transition from high school to college is not straightforward to receive "accommodations" or an IEP, the proposed RISE Act is so important. Among other things, it aims to have colleges accept IEPs and documentation familiar to families, rather than have students go through the extra cost of evaluation and documentation that each college requires.

Written by Aashna Parsa, 11/13/2025

Many thanks to Understood.org for their fantastic resources!

Letter to Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon: Urgent Action Needed to Reverse Layoffs at OSEP and RSA to Protect 7.5 Million Neurodivergent Students' Education.

Letter to Secretary of Health & Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. : Urgent Action Needed to Reverse Layoffs at OSEP and RSA to Protect 7.5 Million Neurodivergent Students' Healthcare.

Letter to First Lady Melania Trump: Youth Need Direct Communication & Partnership with Cabinet and Congress.