Natasha Smit - Clinical Neuropsychologist

16/04/2026

𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻? They are not the same.

These terms are often used interchangeably - but they require completely different understanding and responses.

A 𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 is not manipulation.
It’s an emotional overload - often similar to a panic response.

It tells us:
👉 the environment may not be supportive of that individual’s needs
👉 overwhelm has been building beneath the surface

So instead of asking
“How do I stop this?”
we shift to
“What led to this?”

Understanding a child’s profile allows us to:
→reduce overwhelm
→support regulation
→prevent meltdowns before they happen

Because prevention is always more powerful than reaction.

15/04/2026

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

‣ Around 78% of autistic individuals have at least one co-occurring condition
‣ Nearly half have two or more

This underlines why understanding the 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 is key to best support the whole individual.

13/04/2026

A new week, a fresh reminder that you don’t need to chase “greener” — you bring it with you.

Happy Monday 💛

09/04/2026

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗺𝗶𝗮?

Alexithymia means having difficulty identifying and describing feelings.

This is highly prevalent in autistic individuals rather than being a core component of autism itself. It manifests as confusion between bodily sensations and emotions (interoception), limited emotional expression, and an externally oriented thinking style. This co-occurrence often drives challenges with empathy and social interaction attributed to autism. This does not mean lack of empathy, but rather lacking the skills needed to fully engage with empathy.

If not identified and supported, this can make social interactions, emotional regulation, and coping with stress more challenging.

One helpful strategy is using a simple scale - asking the individual to rate their day or how they feel from 0 (‘horrible’) to 10 (‘amazing’) - so they can communicate their experience without needing to label emotions ❤️🧠

08/04/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 (𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝟭) 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱?

1. Compensation & Cognitive Strengths 🧠
Many autistic individuals, especially those with average to high cognitive abilities, develop compensatory strategies to manage challenges. These strategies can be effective for a time, meaning differences may only become noticeable when demands exceed capacity (e.g., increased academic, social, or emotional load).

2. Masking & Increasing Social Demands 🎭
Autistic traits may be masked over time, particularly in structured or supported environments. As social expectations become more complex (e.g., around Grade 3, adolescence, or school transitions), differences may become more apparent.

3. Co-occurring Conditions (and Misdiagnosis) 🔍
Autism frequently co-occurs with other neurodevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD (± 50%). Sometimes, these are identified first, and the underlying autistic profile may be missed.

4. Variability in Professional Training 🩺
Not all healthcare or educational professionals have specialised training in autism assessment. Autism can present in nuanced ways, and without specific expertise, it may be overlooked - especially in less overt presentations.

A later diagnosis doesn’t mean autism “developed” later—it means it was recognised later.

06/04/2026

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰?

Autism diagnoses have risen by about 300% over the past 20 years, making some wonder if it’s the new “hot topic.”

In reality, the increase has been gradual, driven by greater awareness, improved screening, better identification in girls, and recognition of its genetic component.

Parents, caregivers, and communities are more aware of the signs, autism is more accepted, and people feel confident seeking help. This isn’t a sudden trend—it’s a reflection of a community learning to see, understand, and support autism better.

04/04/2026

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺: Understanding the Numbers📊

In 2026, research shows 1 in 31 children are identified with autism - and 1 in 45 adults (United States).
Boys are still more often diagnosed, but girls and diverse communities are being recognised more than ever.

These numbers highlight the growing need for early diagnosis, inclusive education, and accessible support.

02/04/2026

🧠🫶

World Autism Day 💛

Autism isn’t one thing.
It’s beauty and overwhelm.
Strength and struggle.
Identity and challenge — all at once.

Awareness goes beyond words — it lives in how we choose to understand, to support, and how we choose to care 🌱

01/04/2026

𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 🌱

We’re kicking things off with something that often causes confusion: TERMINOLOGY.

Over time, labels have changed — from separate diagnoses like Asperger’s to the current understanding of Autism as a spectrum. The language has evolved, but the underlying neurodevelopmental profile hasn’t.

Here’s the bottom line:
Don’t get so caught up in the labels that you miss what really matters — understanding the person, their experience, and their support needs.

Whether someone says autism, autistic, or even aspie — if the brain wiring fits, the name matters far less than the support and acceptance that follows.

(But just to clarify… it’s not “asparagus” 😄🌱 — that one we can confidently rule out.)

31/03/2026

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 🧠
Your muscles are the pharmacy of your brain.

When you lift weights, your muscles release myokines — powerful molecules that travel to the brain, helping to repair vulnerable cells, strengthen connections, and protect against cognitive decline.

Movement isn’t just physical. It’s brain care.

You’re not just training your body - you’re supporting your brain.

29/03/2026

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗸 #𝟰: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗱𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Asking a child “What made you feel proud today?”- consistently, every night - can transform the way they see themselves.

This simple question sparks a chain of neurological and psychological shifts:
→It releases dopamine, creating a positive feedback loop that reinforces persistence, kindness, and effort.

→It shifts focus from what you are proud of to what they are proud of, building a strong internal sense of self-worth.

→It strengthens the prefrontal cortex, improving planning, decision-making, and impulse control.

→It encourages reflection and metacognition, helping children recognize their strengths and values.

→It calms the nervous system, reducing evening anxiety and fostering emotional stability.

Over time, this nightly ritual nurtures autonomy, confidence, and resilience - a small question with a big, lasting impact. 🧠💛

27/03/2026

Have you heard of a “𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿”?
Research show that while our brains naturally notice what goes wrong, we can train them to notice what goes right.

The same life can feel completely different when you start scanning for glimmers instead of triggers - those tiny moments that just make you feel good: Coffee hitting just right. Your dog losing its mind when you walk in the door.

Notice the sparks, and watch how, over time, your brain gradually flips the script on your life 💫