'It's a necessity:' Texas budget cut proposal puts children's autism therapy funding at risk
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Brownsville, TX (KRGV) — Texas is considering cutting funding for the Children's Autism Program as the state looks to reduce spending by 3% over the next two years.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is proposing to eliminate funding for the program, which lets some families receive therapy services for free. If approved, funding would end after August 2027.
READ MORE: Texas health agency proposes eliminating children’s autism program
Aida Garcia, a Brownsville parent of two daughters with autism, said state programs helped her family pay for behavioral therapy. She said one of her daughters, who is nonverbal, is starting to speak after therapy.
“This therapy isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity,” Garcia said.
Garcia said it took her seven years to get her daughters the resources they needed. She said even with both parents working, they cannot afford private therapy for both girls.
“I am just going to have to teach them because I don’t have enough money to pay for therapy. So now it’s going to be up to my husband, my mother-in-law, and me to guide them,” Garcia said.
Channel 5 News obtained data showing 655 children received services through the program in fiscal year 2025.
The Texas Tribune reported that the commission said it focused on cuts that had the lowest direct service impact to clients.
Rio Grande Valley organizations are helping parents advocate for funding to keep the program. Channel 5 News spoke with Partner Resource Network, which is encouraging parents to contact their state representatives and ask them to preserve the program.
“We’re going to send emails to investigate what’s coming and why it’s being proposed. So, I’m going to keep my ears open this weekend so I can bring back firsthand information and share it with my parents,” Region Coordinator Maria Cordero said.
The group plans to attend a meeting in Dallas this weekend to learn more about the proposed cuts and discuss ways to advocate for the program. The organization also plans to form a committee to keep parents informed about the proposal and how it could affect them.
To learn more, contact the Partner Resource Network at teamregion1@prntexas.org or call 956-477-9526 or 281-969-5944.
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