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Cypress Edition VOLUME 16, ISSUE 10 JUNE 6JULY 9, 2025
2025 Health Care Edition
Autism therapy demand grows
Martha Asuquo, a therapist at Restore ABA & Speech Therapy, helps children with autism, including Yasmin Guerrero, learn new skills.
Diagnoses up 104% in Cy-Fair since 2015
BY EMILY LINCKE
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.
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CYPRESS EDITION
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Impacts
• 20711 Tuckerton Road, Cypress • www.sweetcupgelato.com
SPRING CYPRESS RD.
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4 Pvolve The boutique tness studio o ers classes that mix functional tness with resistance training. Classes include progressive weight training, mat exercises and quick tempo movements. The workouts are designed for anyone to join. • Opened April 17 • 10611 Fry Road, Ste. 250, Cypress • www.pvolve.com 5 Kona Reserve The shop serves co ee harvested in volcanic soil in the Kona district in Hawaii. • Opened May 1 • 17111 West Road, Houston • www.instagram.com/konacoffeecypress 6 Nan Xiang Express The business o ers a variety of soup dumpling avors, rice bowls and noodle bowls. Per the website, the eatery has 13 locations nationwide. • Opened May 12 7 Mambo Seafood Established in 1996, Mambo Seafood is known for its menu of seafood options, including oysters and seafood platters along with signature drinks like the Mambo Chelada. • Opened May 22 8 Verlo Mattress The business o ers custom, locally made mattresses. Owners John and Karen Draeger also own the Champions location o FM 1960 and Cutten Road, where the mattresses are made. • Opened April 29 • 9430 Fry Road, Ste. 200, Cypress • www.verlo.com • 7728 FM 1960 W., Houston • www.mamboseafood.com • 13126 FM 1960 W., Houston • www.nanxiangexpress.com
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N TM; © 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Now open
1 Angels’ Attic Resale Store Local nonprot Cypress Assistance Ministries benets from proceeds at the shop, which accepts donations of new and gently used products for resale. • Opened June 6 • 7440 FM 1960, Houston • www.cypressassistance.org 2 Pickle Point The facility contains 11 pickleball courts, social areas, a party room and a ex room. The business o ers a free Pickleball 101 class, allowing anyone to schedule a session and start learning.
• Opened in May • 15623 Mueschke Road, Cypress • www.picklepointusa.com
3 SweetCup Gelato & Sorbet Originale The new location o ers rotating avors of gelato, sorbet, gelato custard and frozen yogurt. Owner Jasmine Chida founded the Montrose-based gelato shop in 2012. • Opened April 20
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9 Boba Smoothies Menu items include boba drinks such as smoothies, shakes, Italian soda and lemonade. The eatery also o ers small bites such as ice cream, burgers, fries and wings. • Opened in early May • 10511 Jones Road, Ste. E, Houston 10 Animal Dental Center of Cypress Veterinarian Christen Bolotov o ers dental care services for dogs and cats, including evaluations and exams, cleaning, radiology services, and extractions. • Opened Feb. 10 • 17823 Longenbaugh Drive, Ste. E, Cypress • www.animaldentalcentercypress.com
Coming soon
Coming soon
15 Connie’s Frozen Custard The frozen custard shop is bringing its second location to Towne Lake. The original location will continue to operate at 12545 Jones Road, Houston. The menu features concretes, cups, cones, sundaes, malts, shakes, freezes, oats and splits. Desserts can be customized with a selection of nuts, syrups, fruit and other mix-ins. • Opening in late 2025 • 11231 Greenhouse Road, Ste. 100, Cypress • www.conniesfrozencustard.com 16 Round1 The arcade will have over 100 crane machines, arcade games, professional-grade billiards, karaoke and bowling. It will open at the former location of Sears. • Opening in late 2025 • 2000 Willowbrook Mall, Houston • www.round1usa.com 17 Firehouse Subs The restaurant chain o ers specialty subs, including pepperoni pizza meatball, Italian, steak and cheese, turkey bacon ranch, and spicy Cajun chicken, according to the website.
18 Swig Drinks The beverage chain is known for its sodas, refreshers and revivers, which can be customized with creams, fruits and avors. Signature sodas on the menu include Dirty Dr Pepper, Life’s a Peach, Raspberry Dream, Cherry Bomb, Watermelon Sugar, Poppin’ Pineapple, Beach Bum and Pink Bahama. • Opening in late 2025
Coming soon
11 Altered States Wellness Owner Justin Kennington said the wellness studio is meant to help combat stress, anxiety and burnout through science-backed therapies, such as oat therapy, an infrared sauna, cold plunge and red light therapy. • Opening this summer • 118 Vintage Park Blvd., Ste. C, Houston • www.alteredstateswellness.com 12 Hot Pot Express The fast-food Chinese restaurant will o er solo hot pot bowls crafted to order in under 10 minutes. Guests can choose noodles, proteins, toppings and spice levels. • Opening in 2025 • 20510 West Road, Ste. 100, Cypress 13 Chin Cha The boba shop menu will include milk teas and fruit teas. • Opening this summer • 20510 West Road, Ste. 800, Cypress 14 El Pollo Loco The fast-food eatery o ers family chicken meals, burritos and tacos. • Opening in late 2025 • 17340 Hwy. 290, Jersey Village • www.elpolloloco.com
• A 9526 Fry Road, Cypress B 22480 Hwy. 249, Houston • www.swigdrinks.com
Relocations
19 Parkway Modern Dentistry The o¦ce moved from 9125 West Road, Ste. A, Houston. The business o ers general and family dentistry services. • Relocated April 7 • 7102 W. Sam Houston Parkway N., Ste. 100, Houston • www.parkwaymoderndental.com
• Opening in late summer • 9430 Fry Road, Cypress • www.¥irehousesubs.com
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CYPRESS EDITION
Government
BY JOVANNA AGUILAR, ANGELA BONILLA & DANICA LLOYD
Flood control district to expand Kluge detention basin Construction on the expansion of a Cypress-area stormwater detention basin is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026, said Emily Woodell, the chief external relations ocer for the Harris County Flood Control District, at a Houston North- west Chamber of Commerce luncheon May 8. What you need to know Kluge detention basin D
Emergency service news 3 stories we’re following online
1 Cy-Fair Fire Department commissioner steps down
Commissioner Kevin Stertzel resigned from the Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 board eective May 30 due to a work-related relocation. Those interested in nishing out Stertzel’s term can apply until June 13. 2 ESD 11 terminates CEO Harris County Emergency Services District No. 11 o cials named Chief Quality O cer Jordan Anderson the interim CEO after former CEO Jamie Chebra was terminated “for cause” April 22. 3 ESD 9 ousts longtime legal counsel The ESD 9 board voted 3-2 to terminate Coveler & Peeler and approved Mills Shirley to take over legal responsibilities April 24. Commissioners Naressa MacKinnon and Bevin Gordon voted against both motions and expressed concerns with the process.
Located north of Little Cypress Creek between Kluge Road and Longwood Trace Drive, the project will store 200 acre-feet of stormwater, Woodell said. That equates to about 65.17 million gallons of water. Once the expansion is complete, the basin will have enough space to ll half of Downtown Houston with a foot of water, she said. In case you missed it Stormwater detention basins have been a key strategy the HCFCD has implemented to miti- gate ooding in the Cypress Creek watershed,
LITTLE CYPRESS CREEK
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Community Impact previously reported. In 2023, the HCFCD purchased a portion of the Longwood Golf Club property with plans to miti- gate ooding in the surrounding neighborhoods. “It’s no secret to anybody in this room that ooding is Harris County’s No. 1 natural disaster,” Woodell said at the May 8 luncheon.
RESORT-STYLE POOL OPENING THIS SUMMER!
8
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY DANICA LLOYD
Cy-Fair ISD salaries could become less competitive As Cy-Fair ISD trustees prepare to approve a budget for scal year 2025-26 this June, district leaders said they could struggle to maintain competitive salaries due to the limited funding the district receives from the state. How we got here Trustee Julie Hinaman said CFISD used to consis- tently be one of the highest-paying districts in the region, but “[is] losing ground,” and is now ranked fourth or fth compared to neighboring districts. The district is facing a $50 million shortfall in 2025-26, which accounts for no raises. Despite the projected funding gap, Superintendent Doug Killian said he would still like to see employees get raises in 2025-26. “I think we should do a pay increase even though it will take us further into de cit. But that’s why we have that little bit of extra money in our
High schools to address absenteeism Six high school principals in Cy-Fair ISD will soon be working with on-campus stu- dent support specialists from Communities in Schools of Houston, a national program that helps combat chronic absenteeism. The board approved the partnership at its May 5 meeting. How it works In addition to attendance improvements, specialists will target academic assistance and behavioral interventions at:
Average revenue per-pupil in neighboring school districts, 202324
Cy-Fair ISD
$8,737
Tomball ISD
$9,189
Klein ISD
$9,436
Houston ISD
$10,112
Spring Branch ISD
$10,198
Katy ISD
$10,404
Waller ISD
$10,663
SOURCES: CYFAIR ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT
fund balance. And then we make the hard deci- sions in [20]26,” he said. For FY 2024-25, the CFISD board approved a $1.16 billion budget, which included a projected $77.5 million shortfall. While employees received a 1%-2% raise, several budget cuts were made, and the board approved a property tax rate increase last fall.
• Cypress Creek High School • Cypress Lakes High School • Cypress Park High School • Cypress Springs High School • Jersey Village High School • Langham Creek High School
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CYPRESS EDITION
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Transportation
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
Houston mayor leans into regional mobility partnerships
Houston Mayor John Whitmire emphasized regional partnerships as part of the plan to con- tinue addressing mobility needs across the Greater Houston area during the Transportation Advocacy Group’s State of Mobility conference on May 22. Two-minute impact The Transportation Advocacy Group, or TAGHouston, brings together state and local government, transit authorities and engineers to discuss transportation project challenges and opportunities across the Houston region. Whit- mire said partnerships with surrounding counties and the Houston-Galveston Area Council are crucial to advancing transportation projects in the Houston region. “One of the rst missions I was on when I was sworn in is to repair the relationship with our region,” Whitmire said. “We’re not going to get out of this challenge without collaboration. ... We all know we have a great city, great people, but like all major cities, we have challenges.” Whitmire said the city has already begun part- nering with Lesley Briones, Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner, and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey to address joint mobility needs in their precincts. Whitmire said Ramsey agreed to split the cost of repairs to city roads within his precinct to help oset the burden on the city while still making progress on roadway improvements. Next steps Whitmire said to continue addressing mobility issues the region also needs to focus on addressing public safety and water infrastructure issues such as the East Water Purication Plant.
Funding for road projects will be another large hurdle, Whitmire said, referencing eliminating the city’s previously projected $330 million shortfall by reducing vacant positions and consolidating service and call centers in the city. “I need your help in all the organizations that you go back to. I can’t do it alone,” Whitmire • Timeline: FY 2026-27 • Cost: $204.13 million • Funding source: state 3 Hwy. 290 Park and Ride Adding a ramp for Hwy. 290 HOV lane access • Timeline: FY 2027-28 • Cost: $48.54 million • Funding sources: local, federal 4 Hwy. 6 and FM 529 Intersection improvements, including dual turn lanes and new pedestrian/bike paths • Timeline: FY 2031-32 Proposed projects According to the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Plan, there are six projects needed in the Cy-Fair area by 2028. 1 Greenhouse Road Construction a six-lane underpass with pedestrian/ bike paths under Hwy. 290 and the railroad from Mound Road to Skinner Road • Timeline: iscal year 2025-26 • Cost: $53.78 million • Funding sources: local, federal 2 Grand Parkway Widening to six lanes from Hwy. 290 to I-10
OLD LOUETTA RD.
SKINNER RD.
5
3
290
LOUETTA RD.
249
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2
MOUND RD.
1960
99 TOLL
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
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• Cost: $11.91 million • Funding sources: state, federal 5 Louetta Road Widening from four lanes to six lanes between Hwy. 249 and Old Louetta Road • Timeline: FY 2027-28 • Cost: $5.97 million • Funding source: local
SOURCE: HOUSTONGALVESTON AREA COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT
said. “We have an opportunity like never before, and understand mobility is what really brings us together, but it’s bigger than mobility. ... Let’s come together; let’s lobby for better mobility transportation, but we’ve got to take an interest in city government. ... You’ve got to realize it’s going to be so important going forward.”
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Health care Health Care Edition
BY JOVANNA AGUILAR
2025
Welcome to Community Impact ’s annual Health Care Edition! This guide explores pivotal developments shaping Cy-Fair’s medical landscape. Find the latest updates from all ve major hospitals on Page 17. Our cover story examines the growth of ABA therapy clinics in response to the increasing number of autism diagnoses locally. Additionally, learn more about mental health support for rst responders and veterans in the area.
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Local providers address heart health
What you need to know
Medical professionals said about 80% of stroke risk factors are preventable, including poor eating habits, obesity, smoking and drug abuse, which can lead to hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. These chronic conditions often occur together, compounding the risk of severe health outcomes. Dr. Sleiman El Jamal, the medical director of neurology at HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest, said a patient should be at the hospital within four hours of suering a stroke to be eligible for blood thinner medications. “If you have any symptoms, even if you’re not sure, call 911. Don’t even try to gure it out. Don’t wait it out, because every minute you lose, you’re really losing over a million neurons in your brain,” El Jamal said.
Local health care providers said strokes are becoming more prevalent in younger populations as risk factors historically seen in older populations, such as hypertension, are now showing up among younger people. Stroke cases are up 15.7% for ages 45-64 nationally in the last decade, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and up 14.6% among ages 18-44. “Although stroke is much more common in adults over the age of 65, ... the greatest rise in stroke incidence is actually being seen in individuals under the age of 50,” said Dr. Pam Zelnick, a vascular neurologist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Zelnick said a stroke occurs when there is a lack of blood ow to the brain. Ischemic strokes occur when the blood supply to a blood vessel in the brain is blocked, preventing brain tissue from receiving oxygen. Hemorrhagic
Stroke risk factors From 2016-24 in Harris County, death rates for the following risk factors increased.
Heart disease: +3.1%
Diabetes and obesity: +29.8% Hypertension: +24.1%
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTHCOMMUNITY IMPACT
strokes occur when a blood vessel bursts, causing brain bleeding and irritation. From 2018-22, Harris County had a stroke mortality rate of 15.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, according to Harris County Public Health.
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CYPRESS EDITION
Leading the way. Leading the way.
Where y ou r eceive h ealthcare m atters If you or a loved one are admitted to a hospital, it’s important to feel the facility is safe and equipped with the best care solutions. With so many healthcare choices, it’s comforting to know that a nationally recognized option is close to home. Healthgrades, the #1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital, recently recognized HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress as one of the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for patient safety. “This type of recognition is important because it can be difficult for a patient or family member to discern a hospital’s quality and safety,” says Jim Brown, chief executive officer. “While no one looks forward to hospital visits, it’s comforting to know we are an industry-recognized leader for patient safety.” HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress was recognized with a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ from Healthgrades. This means the hospital is a leader in patient outcomes with fewer complications that can commonly happen in healthcare environments. Where you’re treated matters, and HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress is a proven leader in providing safe, effective care. Where you receive healthcare matters
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14
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Health care
BY DANICA LLOYD
James Moyer joined the Cy-Fair Fire Department as a paramedic in 2021. Coming from a smaller department, the surge in call volume began to weigh on him. “It started not only aecting me at work, ... but it started bleeding into my home life as well, where I just felt burned out,” he said. Moyer was put on a months-long waitlist to see someone equipped to counsel rst responders, but he said the counseling he received was life-changing. Today, as the CFFD’s wellness o cer, Moyer oversees the THRIVE program, which includes peer support as well as counseling for members and their families—all to build resilience amid the tragedies experienced on the job. First responders nd mental health support
Why it matters
U.S. rst responder suicide deaths
Law enforcement
Fireghters
EMS
Most people experience two to three traumatic incidents in their lifetime, Moyer said, while rst responders typically see several of these events in a single shift. “Working in our eld, while we’re responding to the general public’s worst day, we may have six to 10 worst days that we experience externally by providing support to those in the public,” he said. As a result, rst responders deal with elevated rates of anxiety, depression and suicide. Accord- ing to a 2018 study from the Ruderman Family Foundation, rst responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. Since 2020, nearly 1,000 rst responders have died by suicide in the U.S., including 84 Texans,
250 200 100 150 50 0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
SOURCE: BLUE H.E.L.P.COMMUNITY IMPACT
according to Blue H.E.L.P., an organization that brings awareness to mental health issues for law enforcement ocers.
Did you know?
U.S. veteran suicide risk factors Risk factors documented in the year before veteran suicide deaths that occurred in 2020-2022:
Military veterans also see higher-than-average rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide. A December report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Aairs reported an average of 17.6 vet- erans died by suicide daily in 2022, and veterans accounted for 15.4% of U.S. adult suicides. Like rst responders, military combat veterans can become desensitized over time. Their trauma often leads to issues ranging from substance abuse and relationship problems to homelessness and incarceration, said Sarah Holland, a licensed mental health professional at Camp Hope. Since 2012, Camp Hope has oered veterans a safe space in Cy-Fair to process and learn to cope with the eects of their trauma.
Pain in the year prior to death 53.8%
“First responders are probably the ones that are in the most need [of mental health support], and they’re the ones that are probably the most hesitant to seek the help or realize
Sleep problems 51.4%
Recent decline in physical activity 34.3%
they need the help.” LEAH GOWIN, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH, CY FAIR FIRE DEPARTMENT
Relationship problems 33.1%
Hopelessness 30.4%
SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRSCOMMUNITY IMPACT
The approach
focus on therapy for about ve months. Before leaving the program, veterans are set up for success with resume assistance, help getting a job or getting into school, or nding a place to live. Many have ended up working for Camp Hope after completing the program and turning their lives around, Holland said. “It’s amazing to see a guy be six years clean and sober and have come here in complete despair with no meaning, no hope,” she said.
understand, so you start to feel more isolated; you start to feel like you don’t belong,” she said. Camp Hope houses up to 80 veterans going through a six-to-nine-month program involving counseling, peer support and mentorship. The program starts with a 30-day “blackout,” getting veterans disconnected from their phones, families and the outside world so they can begin to connect with themselves, Holland said. From there, they learn about their PTSD and
When deployed, members of the military often don’t have the time, outlet or coping skills to process the trauma they’re experiencing, Holland said, and they often feel alone upon returning to life as a civilian. “We have that camaraderie; we have that brotherhood because we’ve gone through these experiences together. And then we exit the military, and we can’t relate to people anymore. You try to talk to a civilian and they don’t
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CYPRESS EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Health care
BY DANICA LLOYD
5 health care updates from Cy-Fair hospitals
1 Houston Methodist Cypress Located o Hwy. 290 in Cypress, Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital opened its doors this March. Two medical oce buildings had previously opened on-site. Ocials have highlighted the “hospital room of the future,” where patients can control the television, lights, thermostat and more with their voice. Cameras in patient rooms allow for a virtual discharge process with Houston Methodist nurses. The $685 million project has been in development for about ve years and brought 700 new employees by the opening date. The hospital opened with 100 beds, 18 childbirth center rooms and nine operating rooms, but ocials plan to expand the facility as the community grows.
2 HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress A $100 million expansion is underway, with a new patient tower expected to open in early 2026. This project includes a 22-bed acute rehabilitation unit, 31 medical-surgical beds, expanded parking and a larger central sterile processing department. The existing lobby, cafe and public corridors are also getting upgrades.
4 Memorial Hermann Cypress A $277.5 million hospital expansion is set to break ground this fall and open in 2027. Project highlights will include a new six-story tower, 40 inpatient beds, 12 TIRR Memorial Hermann inpatient rehabilitation beds, an emergency room expansion nearly doubling in size and four additional operating rooms.
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21214 Hwy. 290, Cypress www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com/locations/ north-cypress
27800 Hwy. 290, Cypress www.memorialhermann.org/locations/cypress
3 Houston Methodist Willowbrook Frontline teams are using AI-generated summaries in day-to-day coordination and discharge planning. Ocials said this allows clinicians to spend more time with patients. Virtual ICU technology is complementing bedside support, and in-room cameras bring virtual care to the admissions and discharge processes.
5 St. Luke’s Health - The Vintage In late 2024, the hospital received a Primary (Level III) Stroke Facility designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services. “Our hospital has the combination of the necessary equipment, expert sta and extensive training to provide the best possible stroke care,” hospital president Mario Garner said.
The hospital opened on March 17. Future plans include additional medical o ces and community sports elds.
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18220 Hwy. 249, Houston www.houstonmethodist.org/locations/willowbrook
20171 Chasewood Park Drive, Houston www.stlukeshealth.org/locations/vintage-hospital
24500 Hwy. 290, Cypress www.houstonmethodist.org/locations/cypress
Psychological evaluations for families and individuals to facilitate access to various state and local resources
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Services available after hours and on Sundays. In-home evaluations available based on need. 15% OFF EVALUATION w/ current district staff ID badge
Individual & Group Counseling • Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) • ADHD & Autism Evaluations Developmentally Inclusive Basketball
serenitywellnessandcounseling.com
281-944-7922
17844 Mound Road, Suite H., Cypress, TX 77433
Phone: 281-241-7446 Email: admin@benelyon.org
serenitywellnessandcounseling.com
281-944-7922
17844 Mound Road, Suite H., Cypress, TX 77433
serenitywellnessandcounseling.com
281-944-7922
17844 Mound Road, Suite H., Cypress, TX 77433
17
CYPRESS EDITION
Autism therapy demand grows From the cover
What’s happening?
Autism services in Cy-Fair 1 Apara Autism Center 2 Autism Testing 4 Kids
Opened before 2020 Opened 2020-present
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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. To meet a rise in need for autism services and assessments for students, CFISD has increased sta , Marchelle Peters, CFISD assistant superintendent of educational support services, said via a May 13 email. At least 15 businesses in the Cy-Fair area o er 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 qualied behavior analyst. “The demand for therapy, especially in the Cypress/Cy-Fair area, has ... grown tremendously … within the past few years,” Acha said. Yasmin Guerrero, a 3-year-old who was diagnosed with autism at age 2, has grown from being uninterested in speaking to others to being very social, her mom, McCaleb Guerrero, said. “I feel like people think that autistic kids are dumb, and they are far from it,” Guerrero said. “[They] just think about things a little bit di erent.”
3 Behavioral Innovations, Fry Road 4 Behavioral Innovations, Grant Road 5 Behavioral Innovations, Jones Road 6 Behavioral Innovations, Mason Road 7 Behavioral Therhappy 8 Cypress Mental Health 9 Greater Houston Counseling Services 10 MySpot 11 Reach Unlimited 12 Restore ABA & Speech Therapy 13 Rise With ABA 14 Therapy For Life 15 Thrive Speech Therapy
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THIS LIST IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE.
Cy-Fair ISD students diagnosed with autism 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 Public schools in Region 4: +167%
Increases in the number of children with autism since 2015 Cy-Fair ISD: +104% Public schools statewide: +164%
2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23
2024-25 2023-24
SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, VARIOUS LOCAL ABA CENTERS¢COMMUNITY IMPACT
Diving in deeper
Something to note
ABA therapy, specically Discrete Trial Training—which targets behavior changes using rewards and punishments—has garnered criticism about the method’s strict- ness, according to a 2012 study published on the National Library of Medicine’s website. Donnell said she believes ABA therapy has gotten a bad reputation because some providers don’t individualize their treatment plans. She said she strives to show the “compassionate side” of ABA therapy. “I really try and encourage … myself and the other analysts [to] ... learn that child ... and then prepare their day to grow that amazing individual person they are into an independent, functional individual person,” Donnell said.
Medical providers can treat autism symptoms through behavioral therapy, developmental therapy and classroom programs, among other methods, according to the CDC. Many local centers oer Applied Behavior Anal- ysis therapy for children with autism. The purpose of ABA therapy is to address unwanted or harmful behaviors, Acha said. However, families can face obstacles to receiv- ing proper treatment for their children, including the high cost of therapy without medical insur- ance coverage, Acha said. Without insurance, annual costs for intensive treatment ranges from $40,000-$60,000 per child, according to a 2012 CDC report from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.
Treatment options The symptoms of autism spectrum disorder can be treated through a variety of methods, including:
Pharmacological Psychological Complementary and alternative
Behavioral Developmental Educational Social-relational
Applied Behavior Analysis is a type of behavioral therapy that:
Encourages desired behaviors Discourages undesired behaviors
SOURCE: U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY EMILY LINCKE CONTRIBUTIONS BY VALERIA ESCOBAR
Notable quotes
Growing challenges
Resources for adults, teens with autism The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD • Employment assistance • Behavioral and talk therapy Best Buddies • High school, college and adulthood mentors • Job, adult living and leadership development programs
While service oerings for children with autism are on the rise, teenagers and adults can be left out of these resources, Acha said. “We’ve actually had some clients who have been discharged from all their ABA standards because they can no longer handle their behaviors, especially aggression,” Acha said. But Leslie Martone, president of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, said her family has not had a dicult time ¡nding resources for her 24-year-old son, Nate, who has autism. She said they loved the programs he attended in CFISD until he was 22, and he now attends programs at local nonpro¡t Reach Unlimited four days per week. Martone said she thinks many families may be fearful to contact nonpro¡ts for help because of the stigma around autism. “At the end of the day, if [reaching out for help] gets them the help that they need, it helps,” Martone said.
“I can tell you right now, in Houston, there’s a laundry list of kids on a waitlist for this diagnosis.”
CHRIS TILLOTSON, CEO AND FOUNDER, AUTISM TESTING 4 KIDS
Restore ABA & Speech Therapy • Summer job program for teens • Life skills program Reach Unlimited • Group homes • Vocational and learning programs
“There’s a high need in this area for quality ABA [therapy] like we provide.” REBECCA DONNELL, DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES, THERAPY FOR LIFE
22.7% of people with a disability over age 16 were employed in the U.S. in 2024 compared to 65.5% of people without a disability
SOURCES: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS COMMUNITY IMPACT
Emergencies happen. We’re right here when they do.
A health emergency is something most of us would rather prevent than plan for. But when you need medical care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. As your community partner, St. Luke's Health is your direct path from feeling scared or uncomfortable to feeling better. Get to know more about our ERs before an emergency strikes.
Find your nearest location at StLukesHealth.org/Emergency .
19
CYPRESS EDITION
Health care
Health care
BY JULIANNA WASHBURN
BY HANNAH NORTON
Medical cannabis program to expand
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center celebrates 50-year milestone Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, a nonpro t blood center founded in January 1975, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Theresa Pina, chief growth ocer for Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, said with the new mile- stone came memories of impactful testimonies from over the years. “I get to hear the stories from moms that talk about how our blood products help their child get through their leukemia treatment,” Pina said. “I get to hear about people that were in major car accidents or traumas that happen and get to see that they’re living a normal life now.” Two-minute impact The Houston-based community blood center serves 170 hospitals and health care facilities in a
26-county area. It is also the only blood provider in Houston and its surrounding communities that serves 24 hours a day and seven days a week, according to the center’s website. One blood donation can help up to three people who need surgeries, cancer treatments or are enduring chronic illnesses or trauma, Pina said. To meet the community’s needs, the center needs about 1,000 donations a day. One more thing Pina said the center is also looking at the next 50 years and how it can expand the center, such as putting a greater focus on the contributions to research and opening a new building across the street from the center’s headquarters to serve as its new donor room. Pina said the new donor building will open this year. “We want to celebrate the 50 years of who we are going to be and how we can serve bigger and how we can save more lives, not only through saving people with transfusions, but also helping provide cures for medical mysteries that exist today,” Pina said.
Another perspective
In 2024, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center saw:
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made outlawing all other consumable THC products one of his signature priorities this legislative session. He told journalists May 28 that Senate Bill 3, the proposed THC ban, would “save an entire generation [from] being hooked on drugs,” accusing those against the ban of being prot-motivated. Earlier in May, House members said the consumable THC ban proposed by SB 3 would close a “loophole” state lawmakers inadvertently created in 2019, when they legalized hemp sales in an attempt to boost the agricultural industry. After House lawmakers passed SB 3 in mid-May, the Texas Hemp Business Council, which advocates for hemp retailers, launched a petition urging the governor to veto the bill. If SB 3 becomes law, it would “harm veterans, senior citizens, patients and consumers across the state,” according to the petition.
433,506 lives saved
Texas senators voted May 27 to expand eligibility for low-THC medical cannabis prescriptions, putting the state on track to build out an existing program that some Texans have said does not currently help enough people. The bill’s nal details will be determined behind closed doors, House members announced May 30. House Bill 46 would increase the conditions eligible for Texas’ Compassionate Use Program and allow doctors to begin prescribing aerosol and vaporized medical cannabis products, such as inhalers and vaping devices. The bill would allow 12 medical cannabis dispensaries to operate in Texas, up from three under current law. Licensed dispensaries would have the option to create satellite locations to store medication. Medical cannabis providers must currently house all their operations and store products in a single location. This means providers and patients
“The law that we operate under says that we have to provide reasonable access to patients across Texas, and our regulations are not allowing us to do that.” NICO RICHARDSON, CEO, TEXAS ORIGINAL DISPENSARY
139,347 total donors
322,571 total units donated
533 volunteers
SOURCE: GULF COAST REGIONAL BLOOD CENTERCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Local donor center
often drive hours to transport and pick up medication, said Nico Richardson, CEO of the dispensary Texas Original. Additionally, legislation that would ban the possession, sale and manufacture of all other hemp-derived THC products in Texas was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk May 27.
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CYPRESS ROSEHILL 14315 Cypress Rosehill (281) 373-2999
SPRING CYPRESS 22508 Hwy 249 (281) 379-7383 BARKER CYPRESS 17996 FM 529 (281) 656-4200
HUFFMEISTER 8945 Hwy 6 N (281) 859-5879
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