Celebrating neurodiversity requires psychological safety. Service designer Frankie Abralind teaches this in his “Innovative Thinking” course for graduate students in the University of Maryland’s Engineering school. In this 45-minute workshop, Frankie will introduce the basic tenets of service design. Next, he’ll introduce a simple, engaging connection game that underscores the value of diverse perspectives using basic shapes. Participants will play the game in small groups, then discuss the principles together. Frankie will share personal stories from his own experience as an Autistic person and invite the attendees to share about their own journeys of neurodivergence.

Frankie Abralind is an Autistic service designer and University of Maryland professor. He co-directed the Innovation Hub at Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital and created the Good Listening Project, a nonprofit focused on psychological safety. Frankie's artistic work includes color field paintings, typewritten portraits, and the bestselling neurodiversity game BrainSpin.