About Spectrum Transition Coaching
Success Coaches and Autism SpecialistsHelping families and young adults navigate life with autism
Our Story
Through Beth’s 20 years of work in the autism community, one lesson became painfully clear – as students get older, the resources available to them decline dramatically.
These transitions from high school to college and college to work are critically important. Beth has seen so many families struggle to navigate these changes on their own and knew she could do something to help. So she started Spectrum Transition Coaching. We help families just like yours manage those transitions with great success and help young adults with autism thrive in college, career, and beyond.
Our Approach
We work one-on-one with families and young adults to navigate life transitions with autism. With specific, measurable steps, we’re able to overcome obstacles and help young adults succeed in college, career, and beyond. Our coaching style combines personal experience in the autism community with years of study and professional training to support families.
“Beth has been coaching our two college-age sons for over a year now and she is fantastic in every way! She listens well, helps them break through roadblocks on their personal, college and job journeys, and communicates exceptionally well with my wife and I. I highly recommend her!”
– Christopher, parent of 2 autistic young adults
About Our Founder
Beth Felsen
Founder and Head Coach
Beth Felsen is the founder of Spectrum Transition Coaching and an autism specialist with a Master’s in Psychology. Beth brings over twenty years of experience in the autism community to her coaching practice and as a parent of an autistic young adult, she understands the challenges of raising autistic adults firsthand. Beth is a graduate of the Autism Association of New England’s Intensive Autism Coach Training & Teens and College Students Executive Function Coach Training through JST Coaching and Training. She is also a certified provider of the UCLA PEERS for Young Adults Social Skills intervention and a trained counselor for the Greenwood Holistic Career Assessment. Beth is a member of WISER and the College Autism Network (CAN) and a frequent speaker at neurodivergent focused events.
Master of Science, in Psychology, University of Maryland
Graduate Certificate, Autism Spectrum Disorder, George Mason University
AsperCoach Training, Asperger/Autism Network
UCLA PEERS for Young Adults Certified Instructor
Graduate of Intensive Autism Coach Training, Autism Association of New England
Teens and College Students Executive Function Coach Training, JST Coaching
Greenwood GS120 Holistic Career Assessment™ Trained Counselor
Family Navigator, Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Family Involvement
Peer Mentor, Autism Society of Northern Virginia
Meet Our Team
Katie McDermott
Coach
Katie McDermott supports autistic young adults with the transition to college and college success. She follows the tenets of person-centered planning and self-determination and encourages the young adults to share their goals and provide space for families to share their vision for the future. Katie is a proud graduate of Boston College and the University of Kansas and has graduate degrees in special education with a focus on autism spectrum disorder. Katie has worked as a classroom teacher, student support specialist for college students, and transition coordinator at a high school for autistic students. She has presented at local, national, and international conferences, participated as a practitioner in the College Autism Network and created the Autism-Specific College Support Programs Database with colleagues Brett Ranon Nachman and Dan Burger. Her research is published in Teaching Exceptional Children, Autism Spectrum News, and the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Kristian Page-DeWitt
Coach
Kristian Page-DeWitt, specializes in personalized coaching for neurodistinct individuals. Drawing from personal experience as an AuDHDer, Kristian uses a strengths-based approach to help clients embrace their unique abilities and overcome challenges. With over a decade of experience, including roles at Camp Royall and the Carolina Living and Learning Center, Kristian holds a Bachelor’s in Outdoor Education & Psychology and has completed coach training from JST Coaching’s Empowering Students Through Coaching course. They are currently pursuing an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) accreditation from the ICF.
Featured Resources
- thearcofnova.org/programs/transition The ARC of NOVA
- fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/ Fairfax County
- aane.org Aspergers / Autism Network
- asnv.org The Autism Society of Northern Virginia
- ds.gmu.edu/mason-autism-support-initiative George Mason Autism Support Initiative
- collegesteps.org College Steps