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.
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
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
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
New downloadable for you:

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

Useful? (If so, please share)
September 13, 2025 at 8:20 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What to say when students are overwhelmed, can't enter class, want to go home, or are withdrawn.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
DOWNLOAD: 10 Classroom Changes That Keep Pupils in School

These are simple ideas to prevent school anxiety / EBSA from a classroom PoV

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

Please use & share if helpful
August 31, 2025 at 7:01 AM
𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀

These slides explore 6 principles to make your school more ND friendly - maybe food for thought for your upcoming INSET sessions or team meetings?

www.patreon.com/posts/slides...

Hopefully helpful, please share if so
August 29, 2025 at 7:55 AM
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲: 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆-𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

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

(Because your sensory needs matter just as much as your children's)

Please share
August 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Interviews can be overwhelming - especially for neurodivergent young people.

I’ve created a free, practical guide with 10 tips to help reduce anxiety, boost confidence, and support self-advocacy.

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

Please use & share
August 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Supporting a grieving friend can feel awkward or overwhelming.

I’ve shared a gentle new resource with 10 simple truths that can really help, plus small, practical things you can do.

Find it here: www.patreon.com/posts/downlo...

If you like it, please share it.
July 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀: 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

www.patreon.com/posts/slides...

Practical tools to help you look beyond behaviour and respond with compassion.

Free to use/share.

Bookings: ellie@speakingofbooks.co.uk
July 1, 2025 at 7:48 PM
EBSA & Non-Attendance – What Schools Can Do

www.patreon.com/posts/slides...

Slides & resources

Please use and share

(bookings via ellie@speakingofbooks.co.uk )
June 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
New slides:
Dyslexia & Dyspraxia Friendly School

www.patreon.com/posts/slides...

Practical, idea-packed slideset to help schools better support students with dyslexia and/or dyspraxia

Please use & Share

(bookings/enqs: ellie@speakingofbooks.co.uk)
June 18, 2025 at 5:40 AM
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟳
A calm, practical guide for parents & carers navigating the jump to secondary school.

10 simple strategies to ease nerves & build confidence.
Free to download & share:

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

Let’s make the transition feel doable
June 13, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Which topic gets your vote for my next bite size online course (or comment with a different suggestion

Vote here: www.patreon.com/posts/new-co...
June 7, 2025 at 7:27 AM
These Strengths & Success Journal Prompts are perfect for supporting any student with low self-esteem

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

Easy to use, powerful over time

Please use & share
April 1, 2025 at 6:05 AM
I’ve just updated my keynote flyer to include lots of new talks I’ve developed recently—each one practical, neuroaffirmative, and really well received.

www.patreon.com/file?h=12543...

I would love your feedback—or feel free to share it with anyone planning CPD or events
March 31, 2025 at 7:00 AM
DOWNLOAD: Equipping Autistic Students for Secondary School Life

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

Please use, feedback and share
March 28, 2025 at 7:02 AM
DOWNLOAD: What Helps Me Thrive – One-Pager

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

Please use, share and feedback
March 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
My latest digest of resources hit inboxes last night - you can read it (and/or sign up) here:

open.substack.com/pub/pookykni...

Please read and share
March 17, 2025 at 6:53 AM
EXECUTIVE FUNCTION

Practical strategies to support neurodivergent students with executive function challenges in planning, organisation, and focus

www.patreon.com/posts/slides...

Please use/share/feedback

Bookings via the wonderful Ellie @SpeakingofBooks.co.uk
March 12, 2025 at 5:01 PM
DOWNLOAD: Co-Regulation Strategies

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

Practical co-regulation strategies to help children manage emotions with calm, connection, and confidence

Please use and share - I hope it's helpful
March 11, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Mental Health of Neurdivergent Students

www.patreon.com/posts/mental...

Slides for an upcoming session - hopefully helpful - if so, please use & share

(bookings via Ellie@SpeakingofBooks.co.uk )
March 10, 2025 at 7:01 PM