As the Trump administration embarks on its second term, the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) remains steadfast in its mission to protect and promote the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents nationwide. The first 100 days have introduced significant policy shifts—some raising deep concern among child welfare advocates. NATSAP reaffirms its commitment to evidence-based practices, ethical research, and inclusive, trauma-informed care for all youth.

Autism, Neurodiversity, and Ethical Research

A growing controversy surrounds Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s initiative to launch a national autism database. The proposal seeks to aggregate sensitive data from Medicare, Medicaid, and wearable devices to study autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While positioned as a public health effort, this initiative raises major concerns about privacy, consent, and the potential for stigmatization.

In response, on May 8, 2025, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued Executive Order 2025-02, prohibiting the sharing of personally identifiable autism data with federal entities without informed consent. This move—praised by privacy and disability advocates—aims to protect dignity, autonomy, and personal security.

More than 80 organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), submitted a joint letter to Secretary Kennedy opposing the database, citing risks of surveillance and discrimination. Additionally, Secretary Kennedy’s repeated suggestions that autism is "curable," along with his vaccine-related claims, have drawn broad condemnation from the scientific and neurodiverse communities.

NATSAP stands firmly for ethical research that upholds informed consent, scientific validity, and the full inclusion of neurodiverse individuals.

SSRIs and Misinformation in Mental Health Treatment

In his confirmation hearings, Secretary Kennedy linked selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to school shootings and described their effects as similar to heroin. He also proposed "wellness farms" as alternatives to psychiatric medication.

Leading researchers and clinicians have firmly rejected these claims. Studies published in Behavioral Sciences & the Law and other peer-reviewed journals have found no causal link between SSRI use and school shootings. In fact, reducing access to these medications can pose serious risks to children and adolescents with mental health needs.

Lawmakers including Representatives Andrea Salinas, Becca Balint, and Adam Smith have called for a retraction, warning that such misinformation could deter families from seeking appropriate care.

NATSAP advocates for responsible, evidence-based mental health care—including the appropriate use of medication prescribed by qualified professionals.

Budget Cuts and Reorganization: A Threat to Children's Services

The administration’s proposed budget cuts pose a severe risk to the mental health infrastructure supporting children and families:

• Medicaid Cuts: Proposed budget cuts include $880 billion over a decade, particularly targeting Medicaid, which covers over 70 million Americans. Measures include implementing work requirements and freezing state-level medical provider taxes, which could indirectly reduce benefits. Critics argue these changes threaten the care of vulnerable populations, including low-income families and children.
• Reorganization of HHS: A significant reorganization of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been announced, including merging five existing agencies into a new Administration for a Healthy America and reorienting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention towards infectious disease programs. The plan proposes a reduction in workforce totaling about 20,000 full-time employees, with the greatest relative reductions to the Food and Drug Administration and CDC, each expected to reduce their workforce by 20%.
• Funding Cuts to Research Institutions: The Trump administration has announced significant cuts to federal grants for research institutions, including a $450 million reduction in federal grants to Harvard University. These cuts are part of broader actions against institutions perceived to have failed in addressing issues like race discrimination and antisemitism.
• Impact on Scientific Research: The administration's actions have led to significant setbacks in U.S. medical research and public health programs, particularly due to severe funding cuts. Prestigious research initiatives have been terminated, and nearly $2 billion in funding has been slashed, affecting thousands of projects and jobs.

NATSAP will continue to oppose funding cuts that endanger children’s health and well-being.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Under Attack

The administration’s rollbacks on DEI initiatives impact the ability of schools and therapeutic programs to provide culturally competent care:

EO 14151: Titled "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing," this order mandates the shutdown of all governmental DEI programs.

EO 14173: "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," rescinds the 1965 Executive Order 11246, which had required affirmative action in hiring by federal contractors.

Government-Wide DEI Purge: An internal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) report outlines a three-phase process to purge DEI from the federal government, including dissolving DEI offices, terminating employees involved in DEI initiatives, and removing DEI-related content from federal websites.

NATSAP remains committed to fostering inclusive, equitable environments in therapeutic and educational settings.

LGBTQIA+ Youth and Gender-Affirming Care

Several executive actions threaten access to gender-affirming care and the rights of LGBTQIA+ youth:

• EO 14168: Mandates federal departments to recognize gender strictly as male or female based on biological sex assigned at conception, ceasing all funding for gender-affirming care and related programs.
• EO 14187: Prohibits gender-affirming care for individuals under 19, including surgeries, hormone therapy, and puberty blockers. The order also directs agencies to withhold federal funding from entities that provide such care.
• EO 14190: Targets K-12 education by prohibiting the teaching of materials considered to promote "gender ideology" or critical race theory. It also directs law enforcement to investigate and potentially prosecute educators who facilitate the social transition of transgender minors.

Meanwhile, Senator Edward Markey’s Gender Affirming Care Access Research for Equity (CARE) Act seeks to counter these efforts with $25 million annually to study and support gender-affirming care access.

NATSAP supports care that affirms the dignity and identity of all youth, including transgender and nonbinary individuals.

Education Policy and Impact on Special Needs Students

• Dismantling the Department: President Trump has proposed dismantling the Department of Education, transferring federal student loan management to the under-resourced Small Business Administration (SBA). This move raises concerns about poor loan servicing and increased costs for borrowers.
• Impact on International Students: Over 1,200 visas have been revoked due to regulatory crackdowns, possibly deterring international students from choosing the U.S. for higher education. This decline threatens significant economic losses, as international students contribute nearly $44 billion and support hundreds of thousands of jobs annually.
• Special Education Funding: Recommendations have been made to convert most funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) into a "no-strings formula block grant," to be distributed directly to districts through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living. Advocates express concern that such changes could lead to reduced support for students with disabilities.

NATSAP strongly supports the rights of students with disabilities and access to equitable educational opportunities.

NATSAP’s Ongoing Commitment

In the face of these policy challenges, NATSAP reaffirms its dedication to:

• Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers at every level to safeguard youth mental health services.
• Monitoring: Tracking federal and state policy developments with transparency and urgency.
• Education: Equipping our members with timely, factual updates and professional guidance.
• Collaboration: Partnering with allied organizations and families to defend the rights of vulnerable youth.

NATSAP remains unwavering in its mission to ensure all children have access to high-quality, compassionate mental health care. We will continue to advocate, educate, and lead.