Natasha Smit - Clinical Neuropsychologist

21/11/2025

🫶

Behind every tantrum or act of defiance is usually a story — one of unmet needs, overwhelm, or unspoken hurt.

When we pause long enough to see the story instead of just the behavior, everything changes.
Because nine times out of ten, what’s underneath won’t make you angry — it will break your heart.

Lead with empathy. Respond with connection. 💛

19/11/2025

That end-of-year routine 😅

18/11/2025

Neuro A to Z: every diagnosis explained 🧑‍🏫📖

E = Epilepsy 🧠

~ A neurological condition where the brain’s electrical signals misfire, causing brief episodes called seizures.
It affects about 1 in 100 people worldwide — making it one of the most common neurological conditions.

The good news?
➡️ Up to 70% of people with epilepsy can become seizure-free with the right medication.
➡️ Many children outgrow their seizures as the brain matures.
➡️ With proper treatment and safety planning, most people live full, active, completely normal lives.

Treatment usually includes:
•Anti-seizure medication (first line)
•Avoiding known triggers
•Regular medical follow-up
•For some, dietary or surgical options if medication isn’t effective

Epilepsy may cause moments of disruption, but with understanding and support, it doesn’t limit a person’s potential.

16/11/2025

Tiny Tweaks!
A 10-week journey of small, practical shifts that make a big difference for your brain and body.

#4: ✨ The 10-Second Tone Setter ✨
Before the world rushes in, take charge and give your brain a direction.

A quick morning intention (“Today will be a good day,” or "Another day I GET to do what I do", or "Something good will happen to me and through me today") activates the parts of the brain that support calm, focus, and emotional regulation — literally setting the tone for how you move through the day.

It’s tiny, it’s fast, and it works:
🌱 Tell your brain the plan … and your day follows. Or your brain will tell you.

13/11/2025

Brain Bits: random yet relevant 🧠🫐

This one’s for the animal lovers 🐾

Did you know that just a few minutes of petting your dog, cat, or even sitting quietly beside them can change your brain chemistry?

✨ Here’s the science:

•It lowers cortisol (stress hormone) and boosts oxytocin — the calm, connection hormone.

•It activates your prefrontal cortex, improving focus, empathy, and emotional regulation.

•It releases dopamine and endorphins, giving your brain a natural “feel-good” reset.

In short, every gentle stroke tells your nervous system: You’re safe now. So next time you cuddle your pet, remember — you’re not just bonding, you’re literally soothing your brain

11/11/2025

🧠 NeuroTruth:

The first person who needs to see your worth — is you.
Most people are still searching for theirs.

When you anchor your value in someone else’s approval, your brain’s threat system stays switched on — scanning for cues of rejection or disappointment. But when you begin to see, accept, and speak to yourself with kindness, you activate the brain’s safety and reward circuits instead.

✨ Here’s the science:

Self-compassion (vs. self-criticism) activates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex — calming the amygdala and lowering stress hormones.

Affirming your worth strengthens dopaminergic reward pathways, teaching your brain that self-acceptance = safety.

Daily self-kindness literally rewires your neural patterns for connection and resilience.

👇Start small:
Notice one thing you did right.
Speak to yourself as you would someone you love.
Your brain will learn — I am safe here. I am enough here.

10/11/2025

be the person someone feels safe opening up to.

09/11/2025

Tiny Tweaks!
A 10-week journey of small, practical shifts that make a big difference for your brain and body.

#3: End your day by noting 3 good things 🌟
It could be as small as:

“I made it through a tough meeting.”
“I played a game with my child instead of scrolling.”
“I cooked instead of ordering takeout.”

👇Why it works:
Your brain has a built-in negativity bias — it’s wired to notice what went wrong so you can stay safe. But this survival system comes at a cost: it quietly trains your mind to scan for problems, fuelling stress, negativity, and self-criticism.

When you INTENTIONALLY notice what went right (even small wins), you strengthen neural pathways linked to calm, motivation, and resilience - and over time, you naturally start noticing the beauty 🌱

04/11/2025

Neuro A to Z: every diagnosis explained 🧑‍🏫📖
D: Dyslexia

A common yet often overlooked learning difference that affects how the brain processes written and spoken language.
Dyslexia can range from mild reading challenges to more severe difficulties with decoding, spelling, and fluency — and every child’s profile looks different.

🧠 Why is it sometimes missed?
Many bright children use their intelligence, memory, or reasoning skills to overcompensate, masking underlying reading struggles. This can lead to exhaustion, frustration, and confusion about why learning feels harder than it “should.”

⚡ Emotional impact:
Without early recognition and support, dyslexia can contribute to low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression — often stemming from constant comparison to peers.

💡 The good news:
With the right interventions, accommodations, and encouragement, children with dyslexia can thrive academically and emotionally — their creativity, problem-solving, and big-picture thinking are often exceptional strengths.

02/11/2025

Tiny Tweaks!
A 10-week journey of small, practical shifts that make a big difference for your brain and body.

Week 2: The Night Before Power Plan 🌙✨
This week’s challenge: spend just 15 minutes before bed getting ready for the day ahead.
Lay out your clothes, do a bit of meal prep, and map out the flow of your day.

Research shows that evening preparation helps the brain switch off more easily at night, reduces morning chaos, and boosts focus and productivity the next day.

🌱 A calm tomorrow starts tonight.
Stay tuned for the next Tiny Tweak — dropping every Sunday!

31/10/2025

Yes! 👏

Your child isn’t giving you a hard time — they’re having a hard time managing big impulses with a small brain still under construction.
Connection teaches regulation far more effectively than consequences. 💛

📖 More on understanding your child’s behaviour in my book Guidance from The Therapist Parent, available on www.thetherapistparent.com and Amazon.

30/10/2025

Brain Bits: random yet relevant 🧠🫐

Did you know?

Sleep isn’t just rest — it’s recovery for your brain.
But even a sliver of light can reduce melatonin by up to 50%, keeping your brain from switching fully into repair mode.

So tonight, go darker — it’s one of the simplest ways to sleep smarter. 💤