TEXAS: Increase in autism exceeds student pop. growth

July 3, 2025, Community Impact: Autism therapy demand grows, as Tomball, Magnolia district diagnoses have doubled since 2015 

The number of children diagnosed with autism and the demand for related therapy services is growing in Tomball and Magnolia, local providers said.

Over the last decade, the number of students with autism spectrum disorder enrolled at Tomball and Magnolia ISDs increased by 236% and 192%, respectively. During that same time frame, total enrollment increased 62% in TISD and 15% in MISD, per the Texas Education Agency.

What’s happening?

TISD officials attributed the increase to improved identification methods, increased overall enrollment and a broadened definition of “educational need” following the removal of a state cap on special education enrollment in 2017.

“We don’t see [the] increase as a negative,” Chief Academic Officer Michael Webb said. “We have more kids that need services, and we provide those services.”

MISD also attributed its increase to overall growth.“

This year alone, we have grown by over 4%. This trend is projected to continue, and we see the growth in other programs within the district,” MISD Chief Communications Officer Denise Meyers said in an email.

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

TISD and MISD rose 236% and 192%, respectively

Public school districts in Region 4 spiked 167%

Public school districts in Region 6 increased 193%

Public school districts statewide grew 164%

At least 13 businesses and nonprofits around Tomball and Magnolia offer services for people with autism. Ly Beckham, co-owner of Success on the Spectrum in Magnolia, said she believes there are still not enough clinics to address the need.“Clinics have waitlists,” Beckham said. “We have a waitlist, ... but we’re not equipped yet to be able to handle them all.”

Diving in deeper

Autism House owner Jessica Cordova said a diagnosis is needed for insurance coverage, which can be time-consuming.

“Someone shouldn’t even say we have a two-year waitlist,” Cordova said.

Medical providers can treat autism symptoms through behavioral therapy, developmental therapy and classroom programs, among other methods, per the CDC.

Many local centers offer Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, Cordova said. Integrating communication is also important. . .  .Elizabeth Goldsmith—the founder and executive director of nonprofit Thrive With Autism—said the nonprofit’s charter school, the Thrive Center for Success, will serve 180 students between kindergarten and eighth grade next year, as a grade level is added each year. There are over 300 students on the school’s waitlist.

The school is also underway with an expansion to add 14 new classrooms, a gym and a career pathways lab to the campus, Goldsmith said. Success on the Spectrum Magnolia is also hoping to expand in 2026, Beckham said.“We want these kids to be the best version of themselves,” Cordova said. “We want them to still be them, but to just go out into the world with communication tools.”