“I know of families with children who have severe self-injury behavior and they can’t leave the house.
It will be very, very difficult ifMedicaid fundingis substantially cut.
We may be hearing more of these sad stories, and it’s really just a tragedy.”
But the cuts have left some of Trump and Kennedy’s most fervent supporters feeling baffled and betrayed.
A lot of us in the autism community were grateful for the long overdue recognition of this crisis."
But now, she says, “people are desperately afraid of having their children’s services cut.
It’s a one step forward, one step back situation.”
“We’re going to provide services, but more efficiently,” Kennedy said.
“I want to promise you now that we’re going to do more with less.”
Announcements like that have Ashley Waldman feeling worried.
But now she’s feeling confused about the Trump administration’s recent moves.
“They’re espousing things to do better for kids with autism,” she says.
“But on the other hand, they’re doing something that directly impacts them in a negative way.
The stuff we care about is our kids' health and our kids' education.”
“They can’t, so thekids are dysregulatedall day.
That’s the nightmare situation I’m trying to avoid.”
Despite the deep federal cuts, many MAHA parents remain committed to Trump and Kennedy.
“I have no doubts that his influence will be tremendous.”
But doubts are growing even among those who remain supportive of Kennedy.
“I’ve been dreaming about this for over 10 years now,” he says.
He now worries that grade schoolers with autism could miss out on similar services.
Still, he adds, “It’s going to be done imperfectly.
There’s going to be a lot of collateral damage.”
Escher, the autism advocate, has two adult children with nonverbal autism.
“These are real people, with real lives and real needs,” Escher says.
“We can’t just wish it away.”
Gabby Landsverkis a senior reporter at Business Insider, covering health, nutrition and fitness.
