A sample of the many testimonials NKH receives …..
“expertise and time”
Just to feedback how brilliant Joseph has been in our recent sessions. He has gone above and beyond, and I so appreciate his expertise and his time.
PhD Archaeology part time student
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“A hell of a lot more manageable!”
I found the tutor assigned to me from NeuroKnowHow, relaxed me and gave me a massive amount of confidence. The approach to the sessions were very different from what I had experienced in the past. The strategies and software introduced to me were fun and easy to use, as they were delivered in way that suits me. This gave me a different perspective based on my strengths, making the writing of my dissertation, a hell of a lot more manageable!
Lindy Anderson
BA Hon’s Fine Art Central Saint Martin’s
University of the Arts London
“Relaxed, informal, personalised”
NeuroKnowHow provided relaxed, informal, personalised tutorial sessions. The sessions explored the software provided, identifying their functions and uses. The comprehensive computer skills training has enabled me to confidently use and investigate the programs. Although the software aspect of the training was very helpful, the fact that it was combined with an explanation of what dyslexia is, and study skills suggestions was invaluable. Even though I had been diagnosed with dyslexia, had a needs assessment, and equipment provided I had never had dyslexia explained to me. All the new knowledge I have gained, and the study skills that Joseph suggested have enabled me to benefit maximally from the equipment, software and adaptive strategies I have developed. The sessions with Joseph have acted as a spring board, enabling me to tailor tasks to my strengths, and use the software to aid me in all tasks that I may encounter in my course and life. For me the training sessions from NeuroKnowHow were indispensable and will enable me to succeed not only in my course but also in my future career.
Thank you for your help, advice and guidance NeuroKnowHow, a truly worthwhile service.
Theresa Morris
Physiotherapy MSc student
King’s College University
“An inspiration and a breath of fresh air”
Joseph Aquilina was my dyslexia tutor and technology trainer. He integrated new study skills such as learning how to read and write effectively. In addition to this he also taught me how to use technological software to help with the dyslexia. I am now able to manage and cope with my dyslexia. He is an inspiration and a breath of fresh air, where I found his sessions both stimulating and interactive. If you ever forgot what he previously taught in a session – don’t worry, there is always a recorded session. This shows how aware and organised Joseph is when teaching dyslexia students like myself.
Edward Barile
Physiotherapy Student
St George’s Medical School, UCL
“A true inspiration and support”
Joseph’s passion for people shines through his determined work ethic. I met Joseph in 2009 at the beginning of my BA Hon’s. Three years on I successfully finished my degree; thanks to Joseph’s tutoring, support and overall helpfulness. His passion for learning differences drives him to see his clients succeed and will go to great extents to achieve this! It has been such an opportunity to work with Joseph; a true inspiration and support throughout my degree.
Sally Hawkridge
Contemporary Dancer
LABAN
“Realising strengths giving solutions to difficulties”
I went through my school and college years struggling to complete work and essays. I believed this was due to myself not being as clever as the other students. However when I started university I was told to take a dyslexic test. The test provided conformation that I was dyslexic. This came as a bit of a shock. The University provided me with a list of tutors to mentor me. Out of five I chose to work with Joseph.
Joseph started the session by summarising dyslexia and related my problems with his own experiences. This quickly established a bond and made a good working environment. I had never understood how dyslexia affected my academic studies. Joseph explained the problems he faced due to working memory and organisational skills. Both these aspects I had problems with as well. Joseph explained it very well he describes it as being able to get the answer right but not being able to form a logical pathway to reach that answer. This is how I had always worked understanding the answers but finding the structural pathway difficult to replicate. Joseph introduced and installed many programs onto my computer. One of which included a mind map system that enabled me to organise and structure essays. Joseph went though how the program worked so that I understood how to use it went he wasn’t there, he even created a recorded demonstration with video images so that I could refer back to that if I was still unsure. This was very useful as I was not confident with computers. Another program installed revolutionised referencing articles for essays it has easily reduced a stressful aspect of completing essays for me. I believe the most important aspect I gained from Joseph was a new found confidence in myself. Joseph helped me to realise my strengths while helping me find strategies with my difficulties. Since the sessions I have successfully passed all my essays and am up to date with university work.
Thomas Gilbert
Paramedic Student
St George’s Medical School, UCL
“Exactly the information that I needed”
I really enjoyed receiving tuition on how to use my equipment from Joseph. Each bespoke session provided exactly the information that I needed to maximise the effectiveness of the technology for my needs. Joseph was a good teacher because, being dyslexic, he seemed to know how I would learn best. There are definitely advantages in being trained by someone who understands how the dyslexic mind works. I thought of myself as being very knowledgeable about the operation of computers. However, I’ve gained so many new tips and techniques on how to work more efficiently that I will be able to achieve a great deal more on my course. The sessions provide not only technical information on how to operate the equipment but also a great many study skills and time management techniques. These are actually an essential aspect of how to make use of the equipment and Joseph, rightly, teaches these in addition to a thorough knowledge of the software.
Domanic Hatje
Law Undergraduate
Kings College University
As a reaction to his training Domanic also made a video on his YouTube Blog about highlighting for meaning to share with other dyslexic people, while also mentioning us on his page.
“Helping me understand the way I think”
I would like to congratulate NeuroKnowHow on the work they do with neurodiversity. The approach that they took with me was to look at my skill set and the work that I actually do at RAPt. The approach was to look at how the assistive technology and the computer I was provided with, could help me with specific tasks I was having problems with, due to my dyslexia: whether it being organization, report writing or spelling. My trainer, Joseph helped me to understand my deficits and recognise my strengths due to my dyslexia.
More importantly, an understanding of how my self-esteem had been affected due to my dyslexia, and working with it, helped me with the learning process. Helping me understand the way I think, how I learn, and process information due to my issues related to my dyslexia did this. How I think, which I know now is in a visual and divergent way, prior to working with Joseph; I believed that being a big picture thinker and flitting from one idea to another was a problem, when in fact, I realise now that it is an asset. So getting this kind of support and training I believe, would help other dyslexics understand and be comfortable with the way they think, learn and work. It helped me to change they way I think about dyslexia and myself.
Linda Smith
Director for RAPt
Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners
Serious Learning can also be “Fun and lighthearted”
I found my tuition sessions with NeuroKnowHow to be very helpful and they taught me a lot of new techniques to help improve my spelling, grammar and essay writing skills. I was taught how to use different programs on my laptop which would help me with my learning difficulties. The sessions were also very helpful during the period I was writing my dissertation. I was able to bring in my drafts and we would go through them checking for mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation and quoting. I was introduced to programs which allowed me to create mind maps with different sections for subjects in my dissertation which allowed me to write it in smaller, more manageable chunks. Without the sessions I don’t think I would have been able to complete my dissertation. The sessions were fun and lighthearted, this I believed help with the learning process and created a pleasant atmosphere.
Greg Hagen
Textile Design Undergraduate
Central Saint Martins
University of the Arts London
We have enjoyed many workshops
A consultant from NeuroKnowHow has delivered workshops on Neurodiversity several times at Saint Joseph’s College, tailored to our PGCE Student Teachers as part of their Professional Development and Training.
The workshops contained personal experiences, humour and engaging activities to make the workshops relevant and appropriate for the teachers of the future. Including ideas to inform lesson planning and behaviour management within the classroom. PGCE students have benefited enormously from the expertise.
We have enjoyed many workshops that embrace the difficulties and needs of pupils and adults with learning differences; I would recommend NeuroKnowHow for any Professional Development Training or Support Workshops.
Diane Fryer
Assistant Headteacher
St Joseph’s College, Beulah Hill
“Inspiring, lively and positive people”
Students identified as dyslexic, dyspraxic, AD(H)D or any other condition in the neurodiversity spectrum, within further and higher education have four key needs: self-esteem, independence, assistive technology skills and support from people who both know what it’s like and can work at adult level. NeuroKnowHow meets all of these needs. It is run by an inspiring, lively and positive person. They offer a unique combination of learning strategies, technological ability, psychological insight and personal awareness of the challenges involved. I strongly recommend individuals and institutions to avail themselves of this excellent new team.
Dr David Pollak
Author of “Dyslexia, The Self and Higher Education”
& Editor of “Neurodiversity in Higher Education: Positive Responses to Specific Learning Differences”
“NeuroKnowHow will enhance the learning path for neurodivergent people”
NeuroKnowHow offer a service I have longed to see for a number of years. Specialist Support and IT can empower, but only once understood and mastered. NeuroKnowHow will enhance the learning path for Neuro-divergent people.
Dr David Grant
Chartered Psychologist
Author of “That’s the Way I Think: Dyslexia, Dypraxia and ADHD explained“