My daughter is a bright and determined young girl who attends a school within the Portales Municipal School District. Despite facing significant challenges due to her special needs, which include level 3 autism, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and neurogenic bladder, she has made remarkable progress. This progress is largely due to the support of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, which has had a profound impact on her personal and social life. The difference is evident in her everyday interactions as she navigates the world with newfound confidence and ability.

However, not every child has the same opportunity to access the services they desperately need. Without these essential therapies, some children may find themselves facing insurmountable barriers to growth and personal development. The least among us, those with special needs, should not be forgotten or left behind. Their futures should not be diminished because of their disabilities. Instead, they deserve the same access to quality education and therapeutic services as their peers.

We, the undersigned parents, educators, healthcare professionals, community members, and advocates, respectfully request that Portales Municipal Schools adopt a policy that allows individualized consideration of medically necessary Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for students with disabilities while attending school.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities deserve access to the supports they need to safely participate in and benefit from their education. For some students, ABA is not simply an optional therapy—it is a medically prescribed, evidence-based intervention that addresses communication, functional independence, aggression, self-injurious behaviors, elopement, social interaction, and task participation. These skills directly affect a child's ability to access instruction and make meaningful educational progress.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees every eligible child a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) through an educational program that is individually designed to meet the child's unique needs. IDEA requires that placement and services be determined on an individual basis—not through blanket policies or one-size-fits-all decisions. Educational decisions should be based on objective data, documented student needs, and meaningful collaboration with parents and qualified professionals.
For students who spend approximately eight hours each day in school, denying access to medically necessary ABA services may interrupt continuity of care during the setting in which many critical communication, behavioral, and adaptive skills are practiced and reinforced.
We respectfully request that Portales Municipal Schools:

-Consider requests for school-based ABA services on an individualized, case-by-case basis, consistent with IDEA.

-Collaborate with families, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), and healthcare providers when determining whether school-based ABA supports are appropriate for an individual student.

-Base decisions on objective educational and behavioral data rather than generalized policies.

-Provide parents with written explanations, including the legal and educational basis, whenever requests for school-based ABA services are denied.

-Promote collaboration between school personnel and outside providers when appropriate to support student safety, communication, independence, and educational success.

This petition is not asking the district to require ABA for every student with autism or to replace educational staff. Rather, it asks the district to recognize that some students have unique medical and educational needs that warrant individualized consideration and collaboration to ensure they receive the supports necessary to access their education safely and effectively.
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, communicate, participate, and reach their fullest potential. We urge Portales Municipal Schools to continue making decisions based on each child's individual needs, consistent with the principles of IDEA and the goal of providing every student with a meaningful opportunity to succeed.
We respectfully ask the Portales Municipal Schools Board of Education and Administration to review this issue and adopt a policy that supports individualized consideration of medically necessary ABA services in the school setting.