The Funding Cuts Are Real. The Impact Is Devastating. And I’m Not Done Advocating.
As of June 2025, proposed federal budget cuts are threatening critical mental health and special education services in schools. The consequences for our neurodiverse students are deeply concerning.
This is not just a policy shift. It is personal. As a lifelong special educator and now an advocate with the I Am Able Foundation, I am deeply alarmed by what these cuts will mean for the children, families, and educators.
Too many students are already struggling. More than 1 in 5 children lives with a learning or attention issue, such as ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or anxiety. For them, school can feel overwhelming, confusing, or even isolating. Without access to mental health professionals and specialized support, these students are being asked to climb mountains without the tools to succeed.
These cuts will only make that climb steeper. And many students will stop trying.
The Hidden Cost of Funding Cuts
The federal cuts threaten programs like Title I, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and school-based mental health grants. These are the lifelines that fund school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and special education support teams.
The American School Counselor Association recommends a student-to-counselor ratio of 250 to 1. The actual national average is 408 to 1 and in many communities, it's far worse.
According to the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey:
40% of high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless in the past year
1 in 5 seriously considered suicide
Rates are even higher among LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse youth
Mental health struggles are rising. Nearly 1 in 3 teens (29%) reported poor mental health most of the time or always during the pandemic, and more than 44% felt persistently sad or hopeless in the past year.
These are not just numbers. They are a warning. Students are in crisis, and cutting resources now is unconscionable.
What This Means for the Neurodiverse Community
I have seen the difference it makes when a student with learning differences receives the right support. I have also witnessed the harm caused when that support is denied or delayed. The impact lasts far beyond the classroom.
Research from the National Center for Learning Disabilities shows that students with learning and attention issues are three times more likely to drop out of high school. According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have disabilities. Many of these were never properly identified or supported in school.
When we remove resources, we increase the risk of failure. We create a system that punishes students for learning differently. That is unacceptable.
The I Am Able Foundation: A Commitment to Inclusion and Equity
At the I Am Able Foundation, we believe every student deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported. This belief is at the heart of everything we do.
We developed the We All Learn Differently (WALD) flagship video and Playbook as well as professional development to help educators and students start conversations about learning differences and mental health. These programs foster empathy, break down stigma, and build inclusive school cultures.
“Middle school is already tough, but too many students fall through the cracks. We All Learn Differently isn’t just about one student’s story. It’s a wake-up call for the whole community to build understanding, empathy, and real acceptance.”
-Shared by my former student after watching our video
Even as funding disappears, we remain committed to expanding this vital work.
My Deepest Concern
As a retired educator and advocate, I am afraid that if these federal cuts move forward, we will return to a time when students with learning differences were ignored, dismissed, or misunderstood. I worry that the next generation will grow up believing they are broken simply because their brains work differently.
I am especially concerned about the students who are just beginning to discover their strengths. I worry they will lose the opportunity to succeed because we chose to cut costs instead of investing in them.
We cannot afford to undo decades of progress. We cannot leave these children behind.
Wes Woodson: A Voice Students Need to Hear
One of the most powerful voices we are proud to partner with is Wes Woodson, a nationally recognized mental health advocate, author, and dynamic speaker. Wes openly shares his journey growing up with anxiety and learning differences, helping young people feel less alone and more empowered to speak up for themselves. Through keynotes, school visits, and youth-focused programs, he connects with students by meeting them where they are. He offers relatable stories, practical tools, and a life-affirming message: “You are enough.”
Wes understands the fear, pressure, and silence that many students carry. But he also shows them how to turn their lived experience into strength.
When mental health services are cut from schools, we lose more than staff. We lose the opportunity for students to feel understood, validated, and hopeful.
Wes is the kind of voice our students need right now. We cannot afford to let messages like his be silenced.
What You Can Do
Here are concrete ways you can make a difference:
Call, write, or visit your members of Congress to express your concerns. Ask them to fully fund IDEA and school-based mental health programs. Share your personal story or experiences.
Read the proposed federal education and special education budgets, including Title I, IDEA, and school mental health grants. Look for language that reduces funding, and send follow-up communications to your legislators with questions or corrections.
Attend virtual or in-person town halls hosted by your representatives. Ask about their plans to support mental health services in schools and advocate for restoring or increasing funding.
Support organizations like the I Am Able Foundation—donate, attend events, volunteer, or invite us to bring a WALD presentation to your district. Contact us at info@iamablefoundation.org.
Every action matters. Your voice can tip the scale when it comes to funding decisions that affect millions of children.
When support is cut, opportunity is cut too. Let us stand together and demand a future where every child is supported, valued, and empowered.
Visit www.iamablefoundation.org to learn how you can get involved, donate, or bring a WALD presentation to your community.
Sources
National Center for Learning Disabilities. (2017). The State of Learning Disabilities: Understanding the 1 in 5
CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023. Link
U.S. Department of Education. (2016). Rethinking Discipline
American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Link
