Diverse Learning Profiles Faculty & Instructors

"A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better." -Jim Rohn

AISAP is proud to partner with Frankenberger Associates Learning Solutions Center on a Certificate program designed to better understand the learners in front of you.

Regardless of the students you enroll in your school, 1 out of 5 will have a learning challenge. We will train you to understand different types of learning challenges, unpack misperceptions and biases about learning disabilities, decipher neuropsychological/psychoeducational evaluations, ask questions to glean student learning profiles, employ classroom strategies to help all students, and demonstrate your knowledge through case studies. Not only will you better understand the learners you interview in the admissions process, but your teachers will utilize strategies and differentiate instruction to meet the needs of ALL students in your school.

We are grateful for their leadership and participation in this program.  Thank you!


Caryl Frankenberger is the Executive Director of Frankenberger Associates Learning Solutions Center, an educational consulting firm that was established in 1986. For over 30 years, Caryl has been assisting families in identifying and understanding their child’s cognitive/learning profiles. She is a master clinician, psychoeducational diagnostician. Caryl has committed her life’s work to educating individuals in understanding evaluation and children who have complex learning profiles. She is an expert in the field of learning disabilities and a recognized national speaker with over 200 professional presentations. Most recently, she became a certified PEERS social skills instructor; Frankenberger Associates offers social skills groups and one-to-one social skills training among many other services.

Caryl has a B.S from Lesley University with a Special Education minor and an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Reading and Language. She was the Co-Director and Creator of the Learning Center at St. Andrew’s School, an Orton Gillingham practitioner at the Carroll and Greenwood schools, the facilitator for the creation of learning support programs at Dalton, Collegiate, Brunswick, Tilton, Cambridge School of Weston, Cheshire Academy, Hoosac, Kents Hill, Gould and Rippowam Cisqua, and the Head of The Greenwood School. Caryl was the Executive Director of the Fisher Landau Foundation where she oversaw the development of programs for children with language-based learning differences at the Dalton and Collegiate schools. Caryl has served on Advisory Boards for Haskins Laboratory School, Greenwood School, Bradford Dunn Institute, NE Branch of the Orton Dyslexia Society, Independent Educational Consultants Association and St. Andrews School. Caryl was an early adopter of cognitive training, developing a practice that is now individualized to meet the cognitive needs of her clients.

When not working, Caryl enjoys spending time with her oldest son, Ben, who is a LCSW and LADC and a member of the Frankenberger Associates team, and her youngest son, Cam, who is the CEO of Stronger Brains, a technology company that provides clinics and health care systems with an affordable assessment of student’s brain health, and delivers personalized programs that transform cognitive and social-emotional functioning. She is dedicated to her husband, Ted, who is the Director of Cognitive Training at Frankenberger Associates and, of course, she adores her dog, Macy.


Alicia Piselli is an expert and accomplished educator. She has deep and broad experience as an instructor, designer, presenter, and implementer of cutting-edge educational approaches. She has been working with students in the classroom, in small groups and individually for more than twenty years. Alicia earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Albertus Magnus College, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Quinnipiac University and holds a State of Connecticut Professional Educator Certificate in English. Prior to joining Frankenberger Associates as an Executive Function Coach/ Learning Specialist, Alicia taught on the middle school, high school and collegiate levels.

Alicia has served students as a classroom teacher, a Literacy Writing and Reading Specialist, and an adjunct English professor. As an educational consultant, Alicia has mentored educators on differentiating writing curriculums and scaffolding the writing process. She has designed and implemented course curriculum for both public and private schools to include study skills, along with writing and reading strategies. Alicia enjoys working with diverse population of students and supporting their learning needs by utilizing evidence-based teaching strategies and interventions. She has experience evaluating student’s learning profiles and supporting their needs by helping them develop the specific cognitive, academic and executive skills that they need. Alicia’s greatest joy is seeing students succeed as they become independent and confident thinkers, readers, and writers, who have the capacity to plan, initiate, organize, and successfully complete all academic demands.

When Alicia is not teaching, reading, or writing, she shares her expertise as a school volunteer, doing database management, creating marketing materials, and editing publications. She also enjoys spending time with her family: her husband, three children (ages 11-16) and their GSD dog.


Gabriela Deambrosio is an Independent Educational Consultant specializing in therapeutic placement. She has a broad range of teaching experiences in both public and independent schools in the U.S. and the U.K. Gabriela is passionate about helping students find joy in learning, and empowering them with the skills, confidence, and independence they need to achieve their personal and academic goals.

She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, from the University of Connecticut NEAG Program in Connecticut (U.S.), and London (U.K.). Gabriela has worked as an International Baccalaureate Coordinator at EF Academy, NY and at the Monterey High School, CA. Gabriella, taught English Language Arts at New Canaan High School, CT and worked at the Queen Elizabeth Boy’s School in the U.K. Since completing her Masters, she has continuously honed her professional skills in: English language development, executive functioning, and leading pedagogical practices in cross-disciplinary literacy development, including language-based learning disabilities and data-driven-instruction.

Gabriela has a proven track-record of success, having helped hundreds of students achieve their personal and educational goals.


Ben Backes is the Director of Social-Emotional services at Frankenberger Associates, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC). Ben oversees the PEERS® Social Skills program and he provides counseling services to adolescents, young adults and adults as well as individual crisis management for schools. In addition to these roles, Ben is the co-founder and President of the Board of Directors for Winning Ways Inc., a non-profit organization designed to aid individuals returning from incarceration. He is also the co-creator of the “Falling Up Podcast,” a forum for conversations about how obstacles in life can be transformed into opportunities.

Ben speaks frequently about addiction to audiences at schools and organizations. His presentations include, “21st Century Addiction”, “An Honest Conversation” and “My Story”, in which he provides the latest evidence based research regarding substance use along with insights from his personal journey with addiction.

In addition to his work at Frankenberger Associates, Ben is the Director of School-Based Counseling at Project Courage LLC. He works as a substance abuse counselor in two Connecticut high schools and supervises other school-based counselors. Ben also brings experience with Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT), and individual, group, and family counseling. Ben received his Associates Degree and certificate in Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counseling (DARC) from Gateway Community College, his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University, and his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University.


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