Families are moving to Colorado for autism services unavailable elsewhere. Learn why it’s happening—and how it’s reshaping care across the U.S.
For many families raising children with autism, the dream is simple: give their child a safe, supported life without having to leave home. But for parents like Laurie and Josh Hellmann of Charlestown, Indiana, that dream has become impossible.
Their son Skyler, a young man with profound autism, lost access to critical services the moment he turned 22. Medicaid funding vanished overnight. The programs that once gave the Hellmanns a chance to work, rest, and breathe—gone. The message was clear: once your child reaches a certain age, the system stops helping.
So, they’re doing what hundreds of other families in Indiana and Kentucky are forced to consider—they’re moving. Skyler’s next home will be in Colorado.
The decision wasn’t easy. But for the Hellmanns, the math is simple: Colorado has the adult autism services their home state doesn’t. Horse therapy, communication programs, day services, and access to trained professionals—things Skyler can’t get in Indiana, but can get the moment he arrives in Colorado.
They’re not alone. According to recent data, more than 130 children and young adults in Kentucky alone have been sent out of state for the kind of care that simply doesn’t exist locally. That figure doesn’t even count families, like the Hellmanns, who make the move on their own dime—not for a paycheck, but for their child’s dignity.
And it’s not just about access. It’s about community. Support. Hope.
Skyler has never spoken a word in his life. He spends most of his day pacing—at home, through the neighborhood, and at local parks. His parents are always within arm’s reach. There is no break. No respite. No waiting list short enough to be useful.
This is the side of autism most people don’t see. It’s not quirky genius or loveable TV drama characters. It’s exhaustion, fear, and determination wrapped into the lives of parents doing everything they can.
“We’re never going to not be caregivers,” Skyler’s mom says. “This is our life until Josh and I pass away. And our biggest fear is what happens when we’re not here.”
While many states are still struggling to catch up, Colorado has established itself as a leader in autism care—not just for children, but across the lifespan.
That’s why families are making the move. They’re seeking stability, dignity, and a place where their children can be seen for who they are, not what they lack. They’re searching for professionals who know how to communicate with non-verbal clients. For centers that don’t close their doors at age 22. For a system that respects neurodivergent lives as worthy of investment.
At New Dawn ABA, we’ve seen this story play out again and again. Families move to Colorado looking for hope, and we’re proud to be a part of the reason they find it here.
Our mission is to provide evidence-based, compassionate autism support in Colorado that meets children and young adults where they are—whether that’s starting communication programs, building life skills, or simply offering a safe, supportive environment to grow.
Every child deserves a future. Every family deserves support. And no one should have to cross state lines just to access basic services.
Until the rest of the country catches up, Colorado will continue to be a refuge for families seeking better. If you’re facing the kind of challenges the Hellmanns have faced—if you're searching for ABA therapy, guidance, or community—we want to help.
Get in touch today to find out how we can walk this journey with you and your child, starting right here in Colorado.