All abilities welcome
Supporting adults with autism and developmental differences in Springfield, VA. Choose our day program at Westwood Baptist Church, or use your DD Waiver for licensed Community Engagement and Community Coaching out in the community.
Now accepting the Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver. ACA is licensed by the Department of Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to provide Community Engagement (CE) and Community Coaching (CC).
Two ways to join us.
ACA offers two separate programs. They have different schedules, settings, and funding, so here is a quick look at each.
1) Day Program at Westwood Baptist Church
A structured, sensory-friendly day based at the church, with arts and crafts, cooking, social games and some community outings.
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
- Small groups, 1 staff to 3 participants maximum
- Private pay. Fairfax County SDS funds accepted
2) Community Coaching and Community Engagement
DD Waiver-funded support that takes place out in the community, built around each person’s goals.
- Schedule set by each person’s plan and authorized hours
- Community Engagement in small groups >1:3 ratios; Community Coaching one-on-one
You can attend both. Many people use the Day Program as a calm home base while they build up to longer days in the community.
We’re About Connecting with New Experiences…
QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS
Both Kathy and Cyndi are parent’s of adults with autism and have backgrounds in teaching. Their experience helps them pivot programming to suit all ability levels as well as their sensory needs.
sKILL BUILDING
We like to integrate skill building into our arts and crafts, cooking and social recreation games in a way that empowers our campers.
LOW RATIOS
We keep staff ratios low to ensure engagement and safety. Our maximum ratio is 1:3. Campers needing 1:1 supports are welcome to bring their own personal attendant.
VISUAL SCHEDULES
The day prior a visual schedule is emailed to the parents, campers and coaches to review at their leisure. We also include links to the YouTube tutorials we use as a visual teaching aide.
Autism Community Alliance (ACA) operates out of a community based setting in Springfield, VA—an ideal, centrally located setting in Fairfax County. Our program site is just west of Springfield Towne Center and sits within walking distance of several restaurants, grocery stores, and community spaces that enhance our life-skills and community-based activities.
The church campus offers an indoor courtyard with a koi pond, plenty of quiet areas to take breaks as well as an easy pull-up access at Entrance 5 for drop-off and pick-up.
Community Engagement clients may use this location for drop off, pick up and quick hygiene breaks.
