Cy-Fair, TX: Number of ASD students "more than doubled" in 10 yrs; 165% increase

June 10, 2025, Community Impact: Autism therapy demand grows as diagnoses up 104% since 2015 in Cy-Fair 

The number of children diagnosed with autism and demand for related therapy services is growing in the Cy-Fair area, local providers said.

Over the last decade, the number of students with autism spectrum disorder enrolled at Cy-Fair ISD has more than doubled, even though total student enrollment has risen by only about 3.5%, according to Texas Education Agency data.

Rebecca Donnell, the director of clinical services at Therapy for Life in Cy-Fair, said she believes awareness is driving the rise in children being diagnosed with autism.“Much like a lot of diagnoses across the board, I think we’re all just getting more comfortable ... talking about these things and helping propel that awareness,” Donnell said.

What’s happening?

Symptoms of autism vary in severity from person to person and can include delayed communication and learning skills, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.However, a child needs a diagnosis to access treatment for their autism symptoms, said Chris Tillotson, the CEO and founder of Autism Testing 4 Kids, which opened a location in Cy-Fair earlier this year. Getting diagnosed can take between 18 months and two years, he said.“I can tell you right now, in Houston, there’s a laundry list of kids on a waitlist for this diagnosis," he said.

Since 2015, the number of children with autism enrolled at:

CFISD rose 104%

Public school districts in Region 4 spiked 167%

Public school districts statewide grew 164%

To meet a rise in need for autism services and assessments for students, CFISD has increased staff, Marchelle Peters, CFISD assistant superintendent of educational support services, said via a May 13 email.

At least 15 businesses in the Cy-Fair area offer services for people with autism, including Restore ABA & Speech Therapy.

 The clinic opened last July and serves children 15 months old through teenagers, said Eno Acha, clinic director and qualified behavior analyst.