Pooky Knightsmith
pookyh.bsky.social
Pooky Knightsmith
@pookyh.bsky.social
Keynote speaker with a focus on mental health and special needs. Mostly to be found in the great outdoors when not on stage.
** 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 ***

When School Feels Impossible

For anyone supporting a child who's struggling to get to school. Parents, teachers, anyone in between.

Wednesday 25th March, 7pm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/when-schoo...

(please share)
When School Feels Impossible
Practical strategies for parents and professionals supporting children who are struggling to attend school
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 4:18 PM
I'm looking forward to seeing some of your at tonight's webinar about demand avoidance. There's still time to sign up...

See you there?

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pda-commun...
PDA Communication: Staying Connected When Demands Are Necessary
Practical strategies for communicating with demand avoidant children when life has non-negotiables. For parents and professionals.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 6:17 AM
My first paid webinar:

PDA Communication: Staying Connected When Demands Are Necessary

For parents and professionals who've tried all the usual advice and found it doesn't always work.

Thursday 22nd January, 7pm GMT
£20, recording included
www.eventbrite.com/e/pda-commun...
PDA Communication: Staying Connected When Demands Are Necessary
Practical strategies for communicating with demand avoidant children when life has non-negotiables. For parents and professionals.
www.eventbrite.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
𝗣𝗗𝗔 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗽𝘀
If you support a child with a demand avoidant profile, you might find this week’s free downloadable resource helpful. It’s a simple phrase bank designed to make things a little easier in those everyday tricky moments.

www.patreon.com/posts/145334...

(Please share)
DOWNLOAD: PDA Language Swaps | Pooky Knightsmith
Get more from Pooky Knightsmith on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:52 AM
I'm looking forward to delivering a webinar today for parents and carers of autistic children

We'll be exploring a gentle, neuroaffirmative approach to parenting.

Slides & notes are: www.patreon.com/posts/slides...

If you'd like something similar, get in touch: pooky@inourhands.com
SLIDES: Parenting Autistic Children | Pooky Knightsmith
Get more from Pooky Knightsmith on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 AM
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: why 'just switch tasks for a second' isn't as simple as it sounds.

One minute that changes how you think about autistic attention 👇 youtube.com/shorts/5Fsx_...

Please watch & share
Monotropism Explained: Why Autistic Attention Works Differently
YouTube video by Pooky Knightsmith: Neurodivergence & Mental Health
youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:36 AM
The school gate can be the hardest moment of the day.

I've created a free resource with ready-to-use scripts for parents and school staff supporting children with morning anxiety.

Download free: www.patreon.com/posts/downlo...

(please use & share)
DOWNLOAD: Scripts That Help at the School Gate | Pooky Knightsmith
Get more from Pooky Knightsmith on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:12 AM
New Video: Supporting Recently Diagnosed Autistic Teens

youtu.be/AlokY5n-okQ?...

Please watch and share
Supporting Recently Diagnosed Autistic Teens
YouTube video by Pooky Knightsmith: Neurodivergence & Mental Health
youtu.be
November 3, 2025 at 6:28 PM
When we understand what makes a child feel safe, we can help them gradually widen that sense of security. Download this simple resource and supporting notes to explore safe people, places, and activities with anxious children.

www.patreon.com/posts/downlo...

Helfpul? Please share
October 29, 2025 at 8:18 AM
New resource:

𝗔 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. Not about whether you should unmask - about understanding yourself better.

www.patreon.com/posts/downlo...

Includes worksheet + supporting notes - please share
October 23, 2025 at 6:44 AM
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Our ability to sense what's happening inside our bodies. For many neurodivergent children (and adults), those internal signals don't come through clearly.

www.patreon.com/posts/video-...

Video and some supporting notes. I really hope it's helpful.

Please share
VIDEO: Interoception - understanding & supporting | Pooky Knightsmith
Get more from Pooky Knightsmith on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:28 AM
𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱: 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻

A simple way to plan ahead for supporting overwhelm.

Fill it in together; what helps, what doesn’t, and how to respond kindly when things get tricky.

PDF & Supporting notes: www.patreon.com/posts/downlo...

>> If you like it, please share it <<
October 15, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Free audit checklist to help you identify and fix the sensory barriers to learning: www.patreon.com/posts/downlo...

Please share (and feedback)
DOWNLOAD: The Sensory Audit Checklist for Teachers | Pooky Knightsmith
Get more from Pooky Knightsmith on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:20 AM
My latest video looks at understanding autistic communication, practical bridge-building tools, and transforming awkward moments into genuine connection

youtu.be/JX1x9ujIOqg

Please give a watch and a share
youtu.be
September 23, 2025 at 6:57 AM
DOWNLOAD: Low-Demand Communication Toolkit

www.patreon.com/posts/downlo...

Perfect for anyone supporting PDA, anxiety, or trauma responses in education. The gentle scripts and practical strategies work because they preserve autonomy while achieving learning goals

If you like it, please share it
September 22, 2025 at 6:25 AM
6 ways to build trust with new students
youtube.com/shorts/l4yHi...
6 Ways to Build Trust with Students Fast
YouTube video by Pooky Knightsmith: Neurodivergence & Mental Health
youtube.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Apologies to anyone who hit the "sold out" page on my (free) webinar earlier today

I've just upgraded my Zoom license and released more tickets. If you missed out before, you can grab a spot now.

www.eventbrite.com/e/7-quick-wi...
7 Quick Wins for EBSA: Morning Anxiety
Join Pooky Knightsmith for 7 practical strategies to support children struggling with morning anxiety - no extra workload required.
www.eventbrite.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺

Breakdowns in autism & communication aren’t one-way failures, they’re mutual misunderstandings.

So how do we make it work?

By creating more moments of authentic connection

youtu.be/cFKKZhaYFwg

Please watch & share
The Double Empathy Problem: What Every Teacher Needs to Know
YouTube video by Pooky Knightsmith: Neurodivergence & Mental Health
youtu.be
September 16, 2025 at 5:57 AM
New downloadable for you:

www.patreon.com/posts/downlo...

Useful? (If so, please share)
September 13, 2025 at 8:20 AM
New slides & notes:

𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦: 𝗨𝗻𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴

Fresh from a recent INSET session - practical, heart-led strategies

www.patreon.com/posts/134247...

Please use, feedback & share

(speaking enquiries - pooky@inourhands.com )
SLIDES: Autistic Girls – Unmasking, Belonging & Believing | Pooky Knightsmith
Get more from Pooky Knightsmith on Patreon
www.patreon.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by Pooky Knightsmith
We hope the new school year has started smoothly for you all.

It might be time to turn your attention to booking some exciting things for the year ahead?

Take a look at our website www.speakingofbooks.co.uk or email ellie@speakingofbooks.co.uk We’d love to hear from you
September 12, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Building Trust with School Anxious Students

youtu.be/T41iv8x9sgo?...

Simple ideas that work - maybe watching this could be 5 minutes well spent in your next team meeting?

Please watch and share
youtu.be
September 9, 2025 at 12:05 PM
My weekly email took an unscheduled detour but it's finally landed in your inboxes...

You can read it there or catch it here: open.substack.com/pub/pookykni...

Lots of free resources - please read & share
Pooky’s Weekly Round-Up: Issue 117
Challenging behaviour, co-regulation strategies, and salty shoes
open.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 6:32 AM
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆

What to say when students are overwhelmed, can't enter class, want to go home, or are withdrawn. Conversation starters that validate & support.

www.patreon.com/posts/downlo...

Please use & share
September 7, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Slides and resources from a popular session that looks beyond behaviour helping us to understand ands support our students

www.patreon.com/posts/130789...

Please feel free to use & share

(for bookings please enquire via ellie@speakingofbooks.co.uk )
September 5, 2025 at 6:09 AM