Everything you want to know before reaching out.

We know choosing a day program is a big decision. Here are the questions families ask us most — answered honestly.

Autism Community Alliance (ACA) is a nonprofit day program in Springfield, VA serving neurodivergent adults age 18 and older — including those with autism, developmental differences, and related diagnoses. We focus on community, skill building, and meaningful daily engagement in a sensory-friendly environment.

We meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM at Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152 (Entrance 5). Drop-off and pick-up at Entrance 5 is easy and accessible.  We run year round, but do take off most Federal Holidays.

No two days are exactly the same, but every session includes arts and crafts, cooking and food-related life skills, social recreation games, community-based outings to nearby restaurants and stores, and life skills woven naturally into each activity. A visual schedule is emailed to families and participants the evening before each session.

ACA was founded in 2021 by Kathy Adams and four other parents of adults with autism. The program is led day-to-day by Kathy Adams and Cyndi. Kathy has a professional background teaching children with severe and profound disabilities, and is the parent of a daughter with epilepsy and high support needs. Cyndi has served as a special education substitute teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools and currently works as a learning strategist at George Mason University, supporting students who need extra help as they work toward their degrees. Together they bring a rare combination of professional expertise and personal understanding. Meet Kathy and Cyndi on our About Us page – https://aca-va.org/about-us-2/

Our ratio never exceeds 1:3 — one staff member for every three participants. This keeps the environment safe, engaged, and personalized. We deliberately keep the program small so no one falls through the cracks.

Yes. Our space at Westwood Baptist Church includes an indoor courtyard with a koi pond, quiet break areas, and calm low-stimulation zones. We design each session with sensory comfort in mind and adjust programming based on the needs of each participant.

We support a wide range of ability levels. Kathy and Cyndi’s teaching backgrounds allow them to adapt activities for different cognitive, communication, and sensory profiles. If you’re not sure whether ACA is the right fit, reach out — we’re happy to have a conversation before you apply.

Yes. Participants who require 1:1 support are welcome to bring their own personal attendant with them to the program.

Our daily rate is $75 to $100 per day, depending on the level of support ACA provides. Tuition is typically billed monthly, though we understand every family's situation is different — if you need flexibility in how payments are structured, just ask. We're happy to have that conversation. Attending three days per week comes to approximately $900–$1,000 per month, which is significantly more affordable than larger institutional programs.

Yes — we currently accept Self-Directed Services (SDS) funding through Fairfax County, which is available to individuals who are on the DD Waiver waitlist and have aged out of public school (typically age 21–22). We are also actively working toward licensure for Community Coaching and Community Engagement services under the DD Waiver, with a goal of accepting DD Waiver funding beginning Fall 2026. For more information on SDS visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/services/self-directed-services

Absolutely. Many families pay privately or use SDS funding while waiting for DD Waiver approval. We also maintain a DD Waiver waitlist so that when our licensure goes into effect in Fall 2026, families already connected with us will be first in line. Contact us to get on the list. https://forms.gle/12SPXWhgYQiHwrkN8

Yes! Many of our families use their CCC+ Waiver to fund a personal attendant who supports their family member during our program hours. We welcome CCC+ attendants, ABA tutors, and even parents serving in that support role.

Yes — and it’s a great combination. Families who use their CCC+ Waiver to fund their attendant support and SDS funding to cover program fees often have little to no out-of-pocket expenses. Reach out and we’ll be happy to walk you through how it works for your family.

It’s more common than you might think — and we genuinely welcome first-timers. We take transitions seriously and work with families to ease participants into the program at a comfortable pace. Reach out and let’s talk through what that might look like for your family.

Our space at Westwood Baptist Church gives us room to grow, but we are committed to keeping classroom sizes small. We will always maintain our 1:3 staff ratio and the intimate, personalized feel that makes ACA different. If you’re interested, we encourage you to reach out — we’d love to connect.

Call or email us directly — we love talking with families. Phone: (571) 390-4411. Email: president@aca-va.org. Website: aca-va.org. Address: Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152 (Entrance 5).

You can start the process by completing our online application form at aca-va.org. After we receive it, we’ll follow up to schedule a conversation and talk through next steps. We want to make sure ACA is the right fit for your family member before enrollment.  https://forms.gle/KcztfUQC3gwdB8Ba8