Texoma families are bracing for a possible loss of autism therapy services as Texas health officials draft a budget that would cut spending by 3%. The centerpiece of the proposal is the Children’s Autism Program (CAP), which currently receives nearly $14 million to support 16 providers across the state.

Potential impact on children and families

CAP serves hundreds of children each year, while more than a thousand children remain on a waiting list for services. If the proposed cuts take effect, funding for the program would be reduced to zero, leaving families in small communities to turn to Medicaid or travel long distances for care.

“My concern is for children already receiving those services through CAP and families who are still on the wait list,” said Brina Dutton, founder of The Owen Academy, which is preparing to open a new clinic in Denison to help meet the region’s demand. “Before eliminating a pathway to treatment, we need a clear answer about where those families will go.”

Local voices warn of hardship

Dutton knows the challenges firsthand. Before establishing The Owen Academy, she quit her job to drive her son to Dallas daily for therapy. “They’re either going to have to quit their jobs and drive to a facility, but that’s if that facility has an opening for their child,” she explained, adding that the cuts could be “detrimental to those 583 families” currently waiting for services.

The academy’s new Denison clinic was slated to fill a huge need in the Texoma area, but Dutton cautioned that without state funding, the doors may remain closed for the families who need them most.

What the proposal does and does not affect

The budget plan targets CAP specifically; five other state‑funded pathways for autism treatment are exempt from the cuts. The proposal remains just that—a proposal. The Texas legislature has not yet voted on it, and the state says that, even if CAP funding is eliminated, services would continue through August 2027 while a transition plan is worked out.

“I think if they’re going to make a budget cut of that size to a program that supports our most vulnerable, then they need to have an alternate plan in place,” Dutton said.

State officials’ perspective

Health officials argue that the 3% reduction is part of a broader effort to balance the state budget. They maintain that the continuation of services through August 2027 reflects a commitment to avoid abrupt disruption for families while alternative funding mechanisms are explored.

Stakeholders across the region are watching the legislative process closely, hoping for a solution that preserves essential therapy for children with autism while addressing the state’s fiscal concerns.

Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.