CLEVELAND — According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 7.5 million (15%) public school students received special education or related services in 2023 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, also known as IDEA.

Federal funds help support the programs, but recent cuts to the Department of Education are leaving some parents concerned about whether that money will be there in the future.

Candace Uhaly’s 5-year-old son, Cody. was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old.

“I was scared (that) on his first day of school, he would have the general Pre-K, ‘Let's name our colors. Let's count to 10’ and he's nonverbal,” Uhaly said.

She was able to get her son an IEP, an Individualized Education Program. It’s a document provided to public school students identified as having a disability. It presents students with special supports and services within the school and classroom. It helps close gaps that they might have in their learning or their social and emotional needs.

“IEP is like a handbook for your kid. We’re grateful for any bit of it,” Uhaly said.

Funding for IEPs falls under the Department of Education’s IDEA program.

The Trump administration recently issued an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, leaving parents like Uhaly concerned about making sure their children's needs are met in school.

“Very nervous about it, very nervous,” Uhaly said.

“It goes beyond just the academics. It addresses sensory issues if there are needs. We see that a lot with students with autism. It addresses the social and emotional, sometimes making friends or being able to communicate effectively … can be impacted by that diagnosis,” said Jennifer Moles, director of exceptional students and educational interventions, South Euclid-Lyndhurst City School District.

For now, the 50% reduction in the Department of Education workforce has not impacted existing IEPs or 504 plans, which lay out how a school will support students with a disability and remove potential barriers to learning.

The U.S. Department of Education said that won't change and it and that they ”will continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grant making.”

“I think everybody's just kind of waiting to see where things shake out before decisions are made and where the funding comes from. And we're just moving forward status quo,” Moles said.

In the meantime, Uhaly said Cody is thriving.

“The best part is that he's his own handbook now, which I really like. It’s awesome,” Uhaly said.