# Texas cuts autism program funding

> Texas proposes eliminating state-funded autism therapy program.
- Title: Texas cuts autism program funding · The Texas Tribune
- Summary: Texas proposes eliminating state-funded autism therapy program. Texas plans to eliminate its children’s autism program due to budget cuts, risking access to…
- Keywords: texas, childrens autism program, autism therapy, cap, hhsc, aba therapy, waitlist, budget cuts, federal funding, medicaid, news, local
- Source: The Texas Tribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17494464/texas-childrens-autism-program-elimination-threat
- Author: Sasha Draeger-Mazer
- Published: 2026-10-12T10:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: texas, childrens autism program, autism therapy, cap, hhsc, aba therapy, waitlist, budget cuts, federal funding, medicaid, news, local
## Texas proposes eliminating children’s autism program
Texas Health and Human Services Commission proposed eliminating state funding for the Children’s Autism Program (CAP) in its 2028-2029 budget request.
## Israel Solis’s story
7-year-old Israel Solis, nonverbal with autism, gained communication through CAP-funded therapy at University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
## CAP provides critical therapy
CAP contracts with 16 Texas providers to deliver focused applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy at reduced costs for autistic children.
## 1,000+ children on waitlist
State reports at least 1,000 children statewide are on CAP waitlists despite funding 583 children in fiscal year 2026.
## Funding cuts impact families
Elizabeth Solis, mother of Israel, pays nothing for CAP services at University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
## HHSC budget justification
HHSC claims the program’s elimination minimizes federal funding impacts while focusing on low direct service impact to clients.
## Medicaid coverage gaps
Medicaid covers ABA therapy for those 20 and younger, but many families without insurance or self-funded plans lack access to providers.
## Waitlist crisis
University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities has 200 families on waitlist for CAP-affiliated programs.
## Impact on families
Dorothea Lerman, director of the center, says CAP elimination would leave most children without services, affecting family life and school performance.
## Families face uncertainty
Hailey Johnson’s son Micah, diagnosed at 18 months, improved communication through CAP but faces waitlist after program cuts.
## Key takeaway

Texas plans to eliminate its children’s autism program due to budget cuts, risking access to critical therapy for 1,000+ children on waitlists.