BY SUSANNA PINKUS This is never about fixing the child. Because they absolutely do not need fixing. Rather, this is about understanding the world through the young person’s eyes and adapting their environment, often both at home and school. This is about bringing exceptional strengths and passions into the light whilst gently and carefully scaffolding...
BY SUSANNA PINKUS The types of issues, questions and concerns that parents bring are wide-ranging and include: ‘My daughter is academically very capable and attends a leading boarding school. She seems confident to her teachers but underneath, she is highly anxious. What can we do to help her?’. ‘My son is autistic and has ADHD....
BY HEATHER RHODES Online schools can provide a haven for pupils with thinking and learning differences, offering an alternative to traditional schooling which is more adapted to their needs. But what is it exactly about online provision that works so well for these young people? Heather Rhodes, founder of the online school Highgrove Education, shares...
My private practice has now been operating for a decade but formalising the mission into a limited company back in 2020 was a big step. Growing a business in a pandemic, on the side of having a young family and a full-time job was no easy feat. But the pull was so intense that it...
Today, my youngest son and I went to a place we have been together many times before and I thought we may never go again. Over the years we have frequented this lovely park a great deal. But during Covid times, my children grew, and grew out of going to playgrounds in parks, and we...
When I think of mottos, two spring to mind for my family when I was growing up: ‘Remember, as far as anyone knows, we are a nice normal family!’ which was displayed on a sign in my parents’ kitchen. And the second, which was suggested latterly and also made me chuckle: ‘I was normal once....
BY SUSANNA PINKUS This is a topic I am asked about a lot. So here are some thoughts and tips:1. There can be many reasons why a young person is struggling with their attention and focus. This is why it is so important to look holistically to understand what the young person is experiencin 2....
BY SUSANNA PINKUS When your child is newly diagnosed with ADHD or indeed any other thinking or learning difference, you will want to ensure that all staff are aware and are understanding and supportive. If a child is in the primary phase, communication is often simpler as there may just be one or two teachers...
BY SUSANNA PINKUS How do you build trust in your work? Whilst there is no set formula, building trust is something I think about a great deal. Each parent and child that I meet brings their own needs, hopes, fears, and requirements, and I need to tune into these quickly. Whether with parents, children or...
I would say to myself: Carry on treasuring those friendships. These are your people. And they will continue to deeply matter to you throughout your life. Don’t worry about the maths, you will eventually get a C and get much better at it as the years go on (there is something called dyscalculia which isn’t...
