Today we’d like to introduce you to Akili Atkinson.
Akili, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Over 30 years ago I heard the word Asperger’s for the first time. As a 22-year-old first-time military wife, I did not know something might go wrong with my pregnancy. Never one to back down from a challenge, we raised our son to be accountable and responsible for his actions while always trying his best. I imagined he might be stereotyped along his journey called life. It seemed the world was not ready for the young man who would need to be a productive member of society one day.
As such, he was raised to learn and understand societal norms but masking and social faking is hard work. I knew what he was capable of so I began fighting the stereotypes of autism. Soon, I realized that I had to move beyond my son and think about all families, educators, and businesses who need assistance moving to a genuinely inclusive society. My idea of family protection turned into my life mission.
The way we accept, assist, and include autistic people in the adult world does not give the majority a fair shot at self-sufficiency. Society continues to frame the narrative of autism on stereotypes from movies, television, and even what we have observed from one or two people. There are many times we get scared of what we don’t know. The challenge becomes embracing the differences of others. Learning new ideas to help with communication and overall understanding helps everyone to feel comfortable.
I created Akili’s Corner to be a safe space to have a conversation. I provide coaching for parents, employers, and neurodivergent employees. The goal is to give the strongest opportunities to live life and work on their own terms.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After 25 years of working with people who have disabilities, I realize how hard the road remains. Funding is still difficult to obtain for many families along with the struggle of knowing which way to go. I have been fortunate to meet many professionals who are willing to share ideas and strategies all in the name of helping the lives of others. Moving into my second full year as a business owner comes with its own set of challenges, but I have the best prize in the end. The face of a person who has found their career path and independence allows me to keep going when the struggle gets most frustrating.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Akili’s Corner LLC?
I am a Neurodiversity Trainer, Certified Purpose Coach, and a Certified Autism Specialist. The owner of the consulting firm Akili’s Corner, LLC. Akili trains individuals and businesses to understand changing employment demands. My expertise as a trainer provides specialized training on diversity inclusion, disability development, and technique implementation strategy. My approach is impact-oriented, balancing compassion with discipline while delivering lasting results. I use my platform globally and locally to provide guidelines for successfully entering adulthood. As a doctoral candidate, I am focused on bringing adult education and workplace needs closer aligned.
I always hope to bring fun and excitement into training allowing for different learning styles to shine. What sets me apart from others is the idea of a career and not just a job. I design programs for long-term goals, not short-term solutions. I am most proud of my ability to connect with a variety of people. Whether we are talking about an upcoming anime convention, Marvel movies, or the latest hardware to make your computer quicker, I make it my goal to relate. Helping to create a map to individual greatness is what my brand focuses on.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I have several different programs that are designed to benefit individuals with a variety of different needs. The more businesses I can address that is open to learning about true inclusion in the workplace brings the goal of employment closer for many.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.akiliscorner.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akiliscorner/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Akiliscorner
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/akiliscorner
