COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Ashley Mabry, who looks forward to family game night, sometimes watches TV and loves her internship at the ARC Pikes Peak Region, knew she wanted to go to college since the fourth grade, when she entered a "talent development" program at Hilltop Baptist School in Colorado Springs.

"She learned to believe in herself," said her mom, Anne Mabry.

But after transitioning out of the program at age 21, Ashley, who has autism and Asperger's syndrome, foundered for a decade.

"Reality hit us in the face," Anne said.

The family couldn't find a higher ed campus for Ashley to...