In-Person Transition Groups for Neurodiverse Students in Centreville, VA
Level Up Small Groups
Led by Beth Lang, Licensed Professional Counselor | VA LPC #0701006399
Your Child Is About to Take a Big Step. You Want Them to Feel Ready.
Maybe your child has been talking about the new school all the time. Or maybe they have not said a word about it, and that silence is what worries you most.
Transitions are hard for any student. For kids who are neurodivergent, or who just need a little more time to adjust, the shift from one school to the next can feel overwhelming. New hallways. New expectations. New social rules that seem to change overnight.
You have watched your child work so hard to find their footing where they are now. The thought of starting over can feel like a lot to carry, for both of you.
That is exactly why this group exists.
Helping Neurodiverse Students Transition to the Next Educational Level
Level Up is a small group experience designed for students preparing to move from one school level to the next, whether that is elementary to middle school, middle to high school, or high school to college.
Each group meets once a week during the summer, in person, at our Centreville office. Groups are small on purpose. Six to eight students per session means your child gets real attention, real connection, and real support.
Sessions focus on the skills that make transitions feel manageable: navigating new schedules, building peer connections, strengthening communication, developing self-advocacy, and learning to manage the executive functioning demands that come with each new level.
This is not a classroom. It is a space where your child can practice the skills they will need, alongside other students who understand what it feels like to need a little more preparation before the next chapter begins.
- Groups begin in July, 2026 so sign up now!
- Spots are limited to maintain a supportive small-group environment.
Is This Group Right for Your Child?
Level Up is designed for students who are neurodivergent, or who simply need more support navigating change. You might notice your child:
- Gets anxious about new environments or routines
- Struggles with organization or managing their own schedule
- Has a hard time making friends in unfamiliar settings
- Shuts down or acts out when things feel unpredictable
- Has been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, or a learning difference, or you suspect they may be neurodivergent
If any of that sounds familiar, your child does not have to figure out the next transition alone.
Group Details
Elementary to Middle School Transition Group
Dates Tuesdays, July 14 – August 11
Time 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cost $400
Students learn how to navigate new schedules, manage multiple teachers and assignments, strengthen peer communication, and develop self‑advocacy skills in a supportive environment.
Middle School to High School Transition Group
Dates: Tuesdays, July 14 – August 11
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Cost: $400
Students prepare for greater independence and new academic and social expectations while building confidence and practical skills for high school.
College Bound Senior Transition Group
Dates: Mondays, June 29, July 13 – July 27
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Cost: $300
Students learn strategies that support academic readiness, social confidence, and emotional preparation for college life.
What a Session Looks Like
Each session runs for two hours and follows a consistent structure, because predictability matters, especially for the students in this group.
When you arrive:
Why I Started Level Up
Beth Lang, LPC | Licensed Professional Counselor | Centreville, VA
I spent years working in schools, watching students hit the wall of a major transition and struggle to find their way through it. The kids who were neurodivergent felt it the hardest. They had worked so hard to build routines, friendships, and confidence in one setting, and then everything shifted.
I kept seeing the same pattern: a student who was thriving in fifth grade would start sixth grade and suddenly feel lost. The structure they had depended on was gone, and nobody had helped them prepare for what was coming.
Level Up grew out of that gap. I wanted to give students a head start on the transition before the school year begins, so they walk into that new building already feeling like they belong there.
Questions Parents Often Ask
If you are wondering whether Level Up is the right fit for your child, you are not the first. Here are the questions we hear most.
Does my child need a diagnosis to join Level Up?
Not at all. A lot of the kids in Level Up have a diagnosis like ADHD or autism, but plenty of them don't. What they have in common is that transitions are harder for them than for most kids. If your child gets anxious about new environments, needs more time to adjust, or just does better when they know what to expect ahead of time, that's really all it takes. If you're not sure, just reach out and we can figure it out together.
What if my child is too nervous to join a group?
Honestly, most parents tell me their child was nervous beforehand. That's pretty normal. The groups are small on purpose — six to eight kids — so it never feels like a crowded room where your child could get lost. We start every session with icebreakers and low-pressure activities that let kids ease in at their own speed. I've watched kids who barely made eye contact on day one become the ones cracking jokes by session three. They usually surprise you.
How do I know if my child needs help preparing for the transition to middle school or high school?
You probably already know. You've seen them struggle when routines change, or shut down when things feel unpredictable, or get quiet when the new school comes up. That instinct you have that they could use some extra support? That's worth listening to. Level Up gives them a chance to practice the skills they'll need — managing a new schedule, advocating for themselves, connecting with peers — before the school year starts, so they're not figuring it all out on the first day.
What happens during a session and how will I stay in the loop?
Each session is two hours and follows the same structure every week, which matters for kids who do better with predictability. They get greeted in the waiting room, walk back to the group room, and start with a check-in. From there we move into that week's activity — it might be practicing how to ask a teacher for help, or working through a social scenario, or building an organizational system they can use in the fall. At the end, your child gets a take-home sheet so you know exactly what we covered. I also do a brief assessment at the beginning and end of the program so you can see what's shifted.
Location
Creative Connections
14631 Lee Highway, Suite 212
Centreville, VA 20121
Schedule
| Group | Dates | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary to Middle | Tuesdays, July 14 – August 11 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Middle to High | Tuesdays, July 14 – August 11 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM |
| Graduating Senior | Mondays, June 29, July 13 – July 27 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM |
Register for Level Up!
You do not need to have every question answered before reaching out. If you are wondering whether this group might be right for your child, that is reason enough to ask. Or Find us on the Life Groups and Classes Directory
