Cristina Gaudio is the appointed Legal Policy and Advocacy Fellow at the National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA). She is a JD/MPP candidate at Vanderbilt University and a 2023 graduate of the University of Chicago, where she earned a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Economics.
As an autism sibling, Cristina is deeply committed to advancing evidence-based policies that improve the lives of individuals on the severe end of the autism spectrum. Her policy interests focus on Medicaid reform, housing access, and research aimed at supporting meaningful services and long-term outcomes for profoundly affected autistic individuals.
Cristina is passionate about fostering truthful and compassionate autism discourse that includes all members of the spectrum. In addition to her studies, she serves her country as a U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer. Outside of her academic, military, and advocacy commitments, Cristina enjoys baking cookies, hiking, and traveling with her brother, who continues to inspire her dedication to autism advocacy.