Joseph Aquilina
Joseph is a Neurodiversity consultant, Assistive Technology Tutor and qualified Dyslexia Specialist with over 10 years experience of working in Education. He has worked with a range of clients with varying disabilities, including physical disabilities and visual impairment. He specialises in working with individuals recognised as being dyslexic, dyspraxic, ADD/ADHD, aspergers, on the Autistic spectrum and with mental health issues.
As an expert in the field of Neurodiversity, Dyslexia and Assistive Technology, Joseph has been invited to deliver workshops and seminars to staff in Higher Education, the workplace and also to PGCE students. Organisations he has worked with as a consultant include the Job Centre Plus, RAPt (Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust), University of the Arts London, Institute of Education, London Southbank and Goldsmiths Universities. He is currently researching more into ADHD and has links with the Adult ADHD centre at The Maudsley Hospital.
Joseph has a Postgraduate Certificate in Dyslexia from London Metropolitan University. He also has a Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Adult Dyslexia Diagnosis and Support form London Southbank University which allows him to conduct diagnostic assessments for dyslexia in Adults. Joseph is a member of PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific learning difficulties).
Joseph has co-designed and delivered the NATELT (Needs Assessment and Training of Enabling and Learning Technologies) CPD postgraduate course at London Southbank University, specifically for the DSA sector. In 2009 he devised “Video Notes” which uses video screen capture software for Windows PC and Apple Macs to capture training sessions for clients to look back at.
Diagnosed with Dyslexia in the 2nd year of his art degree, Joseph has developed effective coping strategies which he shares with the people he works with, whilst helping them develop their own. His own reflection on his personal experience of transforming his own “neuro-blocks” to learning means he understands the needs of people he works with intuitively. His reading speed has quadrupled since learning the SuperReading technique which he is excited about coaching others in.
Joseph has also worked as a youth worker, arts worker and facilitator for London boroughs, Kids Company and HAFAD, working with young offenders and young people with behavioural difficulties. He is also a published poet and an established singer songwriter with his own band.
