As budget discussions heat up in Northern Virginia, families of young adults with disabilities are facing troubling news. A proposed cut to Fairfax County’s 2026 budget would eliminate funding for a critical support program that helps college students with disabilities succeed in higher education.
This shift is causing deep concern for parents, educators, and advocates—especially those who have seen firsthand how vital these services are for students on the autism spectrum. As the county weighs its financial options, families are left wondering: What happens when essential support systems disappear?
College Support for Students With Autism at Risk
For families like Michael Newman's, the program in question—offered through Northern Virginia Community College—was one of the main reasons they chose to relocate to Fairfax County. His stepson, who has autism, receives support through the College Steps initiative, which provides individualized academic and social assistance to students with disabilities enrolled in traditional college courses.
This support includes tutoring, help navigating coursework, and peer mentoring—resources that go far beyond what typical college disability services offer. And most importantly, it allows students to attend mainstream classes while receiving the help they need to stay on track.
But now, that support is under threat.
The Fairfax County budget proposal excludes funding for the program’s continued operation, a move expected to save $645,000 but affect 68 students. While tuition remains the responsibility of families, the cost of specialized support—approximately $20,000 per year—is currently covered by the county.
Without this financial support, families could be forced to take on the entire cost out of pocket or find alternative services elsewhere, potentially jeopardizing their children's progress and independence.
Why These Services Matter—In and Out of the Classroom
Students with autism often need more than academic instruction—they benefit from structured guidance, social coaching, and consistent reinforcement of life skills. Programs like College Steps provide a framework that blends academics with these essential supports.
Without that structure, families face tough choices: either pay out-of-pocket for full-time private support or watch their children risk academic and emotional setbacks in environments not designed with their needs in mind.
The situation highlights a broader issue facing many Virginia families: access to consistent, high-quality autism services as children transition from high school to adulthood.
Expanding Support With ABA Programs in Virginia
When programs like College Steps become uncertain or unavailable, families often look for outside therapeutic support to fill the gap. That’s where structured, evidence-based approaches like ABA therapy become especially important.
At Aluma Care, we offer personalized ABA programs in Virginia that extend beyond early intervention and support children, teens, and young adults across all stages of development. Whether a child is preparing for school, navigating adolescence, or transitioning to college, our ABA therapists create individualized plans that focus on communication, executive functioning, social skills, and independence.
We understand that growth doesn’t stop at high school graduation—and neither should support. Our ABA programs are designed to meet families where they are, with services that evolve alongside each child’s unique needs and goals.
Supporting the Future of Neurodiverse Students
While Fairfax County's final budget decisions are still pending, families have made one thing clear: these services are not optional—they’re essential. Programs that help students with autism succeed in higher education don’t just open academic doors; they help build confident, capable adults ready to thrive in the world.
Get in touch today to learn how our ABA programs in Virginia can support your child at every stage—from early development to college readiness and beyond.
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