As Fairfax County faces a significant budget shortfall, officials are proposing cuts that could dramatically affect the neurodivergent community—particularly autistic students striving to gain independence through higher education. Among the most troubling cuts is a proposal to defund College Steps, a program that offers individualized support for college students with developmental and learning disabilities.
For families, students, and advocates, this isn’t just a budget line item—it’s a potential loss of a lifeline. And for us at Amaze ABA, it reinforces just how essential accessible, consistent ABA therapy services in Virginia are—especially during the critical transition from adolescence to adulthood.
College Steps and Its Role in a Neurodivergent Student’s Future
College Steps has helped students on the autism spectrum and others with learning differences not only attend college—but succeed there. The program provides one-on-one academic mentoring, social support, help with executive functioning, and career planning. It currently supports 68 Fairfax County students at Northern Virginia Community College.
Many families, like that of Michael Newman, say the program has been essential for keeping their children enrolled, progressing toward degrees, and preparing for meaningful employment. Without this support, students like his stepson risk falling behind or dropping out entirely.
For some students, the loss of College Steps isn’t just academic—it could mean losing their sense of purpose and place in the world.
What’s at Stake for the Neurodivergent Community
The impact of these proposed cuts extends far beyond the classroom. Losing access to support services like College Steps could lead to:
- Increased dropout rates among neurodivergent students
- Higher long-term public costs due to reliance on adult day and employment programs
- Missed opportunities for independence, employment, and community participation
- Emotional and psychological toll on students and their families
Parents and advocates have described the situation as “falling off a cliff,” with little to no guidance or backup resources offered in the event that College Steps disappears.
The concern doesn’t end there. Cuts are also being proposed to other crucial services like respite care and self-directed services funding, which have long allowed students with disabilities to pursue higher education with necessary accommodations.
Long-Term Costs of Short-Term Budget Decisions
When programs that support the neurodivergent community are cut, the burden doesn’t go away—it simply shifts elsewhere. In fact, it often grows.
Instead of helping students transition into productive, independent lives, cuts like these increase the likelihood of life-long dependency on county support. And while Fairfax County may save a few hundred thousand dollars now, the long-term financial and social costs could far outweigh the short-term gains.
We’ve seen this firsthand through our work with families navigating autism. Without tailored supports, progress stalls. But with the right structure—like individualized ABA therapy services in Virginia—our clients achieve real, lasting growth.
The Power of Early and Continued Support
Transitions, especially from high school to college or the workforce, are some of the most challenging for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. It’s also the time when families need support the most.
At Amaze ABA, we provide customized support to help clients bridge this gap—building not just academic readiness, but life skills, confidence, and independence. Our evidence-based approach equips each individual to succeed, whether in a classroom, workplace, or community setting.
When public programs are threatened, private services like ours become even more critical. But access shouldn’t be limited by family finances or geography. That’s why we advocate for solutions that include both high-quality therapy and public investment in support systems like College Steps.
Supporting Independence, Not Abandonment
The neurodivergent community in Fairfax County—and across Virginia—deserves more than survival. They deserve the chance to learn, work, and live with dignity and purpose.
Get in touch today to learn how our expert ABA therapy services in Virginia can help your loved one thrive during life’s most important transitions. Let’s build a future where support doesn’t end when school does—and where every individual has a chance to succeed.