I help people celebrate neurodiversity.
Workshops
Learn best practices for enabling and empowering the neurodiversity on your team. Standard 90-minute and half-day workshops are heavy on experiential learning, small-group reflection, and fun.
Training
How can you support your team members so they feel the psychological safety they need to perform at their best? There's plenty of low-hanging fruit.
Coaching
Individualized guidance for neurodiverse individuals improves retention, collaboration, and performance.
Consulting
Develop custom deliverables for your DEI-savvy clients.
Image: "Them Planets," painting by Frankie Abralind, 2022.
Want a neurodiversity-safe workplace?
Every team can be a high performer.
Each team member has the potential to be a top contributor.
Few have the tools or support they need to do that.
I coach individuals and organizations on science-backed best practices for enabling and empowering neurodiversity. It's our greatest strength. Unlocking it can be our greatest gift to each other and the world.
Image: Frankie teaches a client to drive a skid loader.
Here's a sample half-day workshop agenda.
Introductions
Activity
Break(s)
Discussion
Activity #2
Break
Discussion
Activity #3
Wrap-up
The day begins by establishing expectations, psychological safety, and growth mindset environment. We invite the experience and wisdom of the participants, and we review communication styles.
We move quickly into small groups for interactive activities. Adults comprehend most fully by personal experience, after all. We stay more engaged when we're having fun, too. Topics include communication, collaboration, psychological safety, creative boundaries, and more.
Intentional, proactive attention to energy levels is key to focus and emotional regulation.
We don't learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on our experiences. Expert facilitation of group reflection allows for the integration of lessons.
Collaboration is key to successful adoption of innovation. We play a simple, engaging game that gets everyone involved and celebrates the diverse perspectives in the room.
Multiple breaks honor our U-shaped attention spans and allow for more effective absorption of learning objectives.
We don't learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on our experiences. Expert facilitation of group reflection allows for the integration of lessons.
Collaboration is key to successful adoption of innovation. We play a simple, engaging game that gets everyone involved and celebrates the diverse perspectives in the room.
Our training concludes with a focus on takeaways and next steps.
These are my qualifications.
Experience Design
My professional training is in the design of services, a.k.a. "experience design." Because of this, I bring a passion for user testing, prototyping, and iterative feedback loops to every team. This means keeping our users' interests centered and grounding collaborations in curiosity and a growth mindset.
Teaching
I created the "Innovative Thinking" course (ENES665) at the University of Maryland and have taught it to grad students since 2014. I co-created the popular 12-week intensive "Listen Like a Poet" course for the Good Listening Project, the nonprofit that I built to support psychological safety in healthcare.
Training & Coaching
I taught the "Intro to Human Centered Design" program at Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital. I'm an enthusiastic mentor, have built two successful design internship programs, and have co-created two peer mentorship programs.
Facilitation
I've co-hosted conferences, trainings, workshops, and academic courses since college. I'm an experienced main-stage speaker, too.
Personal
I go to therapy, work with a life coach, do yoga, and journal. My team once gave me an "Accepting Feedback" award at our annual retreat. I created a bestselling game, BrainSpin, that celebrates neurodiversity. I'm an excellent dancer. Also, I'm Autistic.
Testimonials
References are often the most valuable information for evaluating a potential service provider. Here's what some of my past students, clients, and coworkers have said about working with me.
"Frankie has unique people skills which made my learning experience both enjoyable and rewarding."
~Joseph B. (student)
"'Organized and insightful' is the phrase that comes to mind when I think of Frankie Abralind. He earns my highest recommendation."
~ Scott A. (client)
"Frankie is everything a young professional could ask for in a supervisor and a mentor." ~Jessica C. (intern)
"You are such an inspiration to so many, including me. I remember when we had our first call together. I was so immediately taken with your spirit and kindness and humor. What you’ve created has given such a gift to so many (also including me)."
~ Lindsay H. (boss)
"I love all of your incredible events and sharing of passions."
~ Matt M. (coworker)
You can read dozens more at the bottom of my LinkedIn profile.
Hire me.
Find out if I'm right for your team or event. You can send me a message on my contact page or schedule a session below.