Connect - Dr Susanna Pinkus

Referrals are usually made through trusted connections such as doctors, psychologists and schools but parents may also make confidential enquiries directly.

Enquiries should be directed to: pa@drsusannapinkus.com

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drsusannapinkus May 20

@ drsusannapinkus . May 20

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Back in 1994, I started out my career as a teacher before going back to study again, this time for an MPhil and then PhD. My doctoral research at Cambridge focused on partnership building between parents and professionals when a child has additional needs. This work fundamentally shaped the way I understood young people, families, schools and has been key to the holistic approach I have developed over the past two decades.

After four incredible years when I learnt so much, I returned to work in schools, and held a range of inclusion and advisory roles across educational settings and sectors. The last eight years of my in-school career were at Harrow School and for much of this time, I led their provision for boys with additional needs.

What makes the way I work distinctive is that it doesn’t belong to a single discipline. Although I specialise in education and neurodiversity, I don’t teach, do school search or carry out clinical assessments (although I have excellent colleagues who do).

Rather, I work at the intersection of education, neurodiversity, psychology, wellbeing and mental health, family systems, and advocacy. This means I am focused on the whole child, their emotional, learning and physical needs, understanding the essence of who they are as a person, and how they operate within their home and school environments. I work to untangle what is going on, unlocking potential to help them achieve their hopes and dreams.

#neverjustajob #thinkingdifferentlyabouteducation

drsusannapinkus May 20

@ drsusannapinkus . May 20

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“Mum, how would I explain what you do to one of my friends? And how you learnt to do it?”.

Although my own children of course know more or less what I do, I understand why my son asked me this question. Explaining simply what I do can be tricky. In part because no case I take on is ever the same, and I bespoke what I do depending on the nature of the situation. But also, my job doesn’t have an established path to reach it in the way a medical doctor or psychologist might.

The simplest answer though is that parents come to me from around the world with educational questions, concerns and dilemmas.

The slightly longer answer is that I untangle what is going on for young people both at home and school, unlocking their potential to help them achieve their hopes and dreams. I also enable those at home and school to know how to best support them, and in time help them to best understand themselves too.

To say I love my work would be an understatement. Enabling young people to grow into who they are truly meant to be and restoring calm and happiness to their experience of life, and their family unit too is incredibly rewarding.

Part Two coming later on how I ‘trained’ to do it….

#restoringjoytolifeandlearning
#thinkingdifferentlyabouteducation
#neurodiversitymatters
#neverjustajob

drsusannapinkus May 19

@ drsusannapinkus . May 19

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If so, I have opened up some availability for short educational reviews in June.

For more information, contact pa@drsusannapinkus.com

#thinkingdifferentlyabouteducation #neurodiversitymatters #bringingstrengthsintothelight

drsusannapinkus May 18

@ drsusannapinkus . May 18

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Enabling young people to thrive in life and learning is always the overarching focus of my work.

And where needed, I bring other trusted expert colleagues on board too. For example, to carry out ADHD, Autism, and dyslexia assessments, medical reviews, and/or to provide therapeutic or other interventions. Having a joined-up team who work together can be vital, and especially in more complex situations.

Each team is bespoke, and I consider very carefully who would be the best fit for each young person and their family.

Naturally, having outstanding expertise is key, but authentically caring, being an excellent communicator, curious and collaborative in approach is also central.

We may come from different disciplinary perspectives but we share the same passion for empowering young people and families, and use our individual and collective expertise to ensure that they receive the right understanding, support and care.

#itsneverjustajob #neurodiversitymatters #thinkingdifferentlyabouteducation #dreamteams #thebestofthebest

drsusannapinkus May 17

@ drsusannapinkus . May 17

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How true this is @drscottlyons And this can be especially true for the young people I see who are often burnt out by life and learning, having tried so hard for so long.

Although it may not be the full story, when I review their school schedules, their evening and weekend commitments, and even holiday times too, I can understand why life feels so exhausting.

One of the first things I often focus on is how to reduce commitments and create space for genuine joy and rest both at home and school, proactively building it in before it is absolutely needed.

#restisaproductiveactivity #thinkingdifferentlyabouteducation

drsusannapinkus May 15

@ drsusannapinkus . May 15

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For a range of education, neurodiversity and wellbeing pieces written mainly for parents, visit the Publications tab at www.drsusannapinkus.com #flashbackfriday #connection #curiosity #compassion #neverjustajob

drsusannapinkus May 14

@ drsusannapinkus . May 14

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When things feel overwhelming, this is often a simple but powerful question to ask...

#littlesteps #mentalhealthawarenessweek

drsusannapinkus May 13

@ drsusannapinkus . May 13

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How do you prioritise your mental health and wellbeing, and especially if you too spend much of your life caring for other people’s?

When you are naturally attuned to the needs of others, it can take a long while to realise that your own needs are not an optional extra.

I would love to know what you do to take care of you too.

Some changes I have made over the last few years include:
1. Wherever possible, I diarise activities which are important for my wellbeing before I book in my work and other commitments. In the past, I would try to add them in after but invariably they wouldn’t happen. The activities are always simple. I’m definitely not an ice-bath type of person! Over the course of the day, I aim for some early sunshine, a walk, stretching, and a guided meditation with breathing exercises (the only time my mind feels quiet). Solitude too.
2. Habit tracking what I am doing. I love a tick box ❤️
3. Pairing something I am definitely going to want to do with something I might put off. For example, watching a box set with lifting weights (the longer the series the better so it becomes a habit).
4. With a couple of like-minded friends, we send each other podcasts, poems, wellbeing inspiration, quotes and music. @karenkinsley26 thank you for the beautiful song today!
5. I have stopped sending and replying to emails outside of working hours. And if I do, I delay send. Better for me and other people too!

#mentalhealthawarenessweek

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