2023 NDM® Consultant Graduates
We are thrilled to celebrate the success of our remarkable 2023 graduating class of NeuroDevelopmental Movement® Consultants.
These women are shining examples of discipline and dedication, as they have completed a challenging program of study through rigorous coursework and hands-on training.
They possess an exceptional understanding of neurodevelopmental challenges, delays, and injuries in children and adults, and are equipped with the tools
to guide their clients to their highest potential, while providing compassionate care.
We have no doubt they will apply their knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the lives of hundreds of children and adults,
and look forward to the remarkable contributions they will make in the years ahead!
Sandy Smith
Through the work of NeuroDevelopmental Movement®,
I am able to help families
help their children
reach their potential.
I am a mom. I have three children, all adults now, but each with their own individual challenges. The three of them are less than four years apart in age. Yes…I was THAT mom…the one with a baby in the car seat, a toddler in the cart, and a preschooler holding my hand in the grocery store!
When my oldest was little, we knew that he was unique. He hit all of his milestones within normal time frames, but he also exhibited behaviors that were concerning:
At age 2, he stopped eating;
At age 3, he was extremely difficult to potty-train;
At age 4, we were sent to a clinical social worker;
At age 5, we began occupational therapy;
At age 6, we completed several months of vision therapy;
At age 7, he was diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
At each step of the way, we made progress, but our work never seemed to be finished or complete. We had coping skills, but no resolution to our challenges. We always seemed to be missing a piece of the puzzle.
As my children were entering school, I began teaching preschool. My experiences with my son lead me to become the “go-to” teacher for challenging children. My classroom was full of challenges…some of my students had behavioral issues, some had speech or physical challenges, some had poor social skills, or difficulty with transitions, or with emotional regulation. Some were defiant, some were too compliant. Some had difficulty just navigating the classroom. As a preschool teacher, sometimes I was the first person to raise an alert flag with parents and to recommend interventions.
What I saw with my students and their families was the same experience I had in my own family. Even with the best of interventions, progress was slow and never seemed to be complete. When I learned about NeuroDevelopmental Movement® it was like the lightbulb lit up. “This is the missing piece I’ve been looking for!” That piece of the puzzle is the Developmental Sequence…the incredibly important way that human beings grow and develop. We hear a lot about how important the first few years of life are, but now, thanks to the brain’s amazing neuroplasticity, we can help children (and families) fill in the gaps…the missing pieces of their unique puzzle.
Serving clients in North Carolina, South Carolina, Southern Virginia, Eastern Tennessee, and Georgia.
Connect with Sandy
888-317-5605 x701
sandy.smith@cbfclinic.com
www.NeuroSolutionsInternational.com
Anna Hassler
I discovered NeuroDevelopmental Movement® 12 years ago as a college student at Evergreen State College, where I studied psychology and education. During my studies, I learned about the attachment process and realized how the first few years of life are the “make or break” for every human.
So many lights went off in my consciousness about how our world could be healed by focusing on these early years and empowering people with the understanding of what is truly happening during this time.
When Bette taught her NDM course at Evergreen, it sealed the deal. This was the way to bring that healing to so many, and to educate future parents, as well! I believe our nervous system is our greatest asset, and by simply addressing the foundational levels of the brain, we are able to bring our entire nervous system into the power and stability from which we can move mountains.
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, I am proudly serving clients in the Midwest region, and in the Denver/Boulder, Colorado area.
My mission is to help as many children and adults as I can to achieve the best possible version of themselves through the work of NeuroDevelopmental Movement®.
Rene Smith
Each child is unique and wonderfully created. Until we look at a child through their unique lens, we will be doing them a disservice instead of equipping them to reach their fullest potential.
Albert Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Isn’t that what we are doing with therapies for our children? Traditional therapies do not get to the root cause of the child’s behavior. My passion comes from seeing children blamed or parents blamed for their child’s behavior. I have spent more than a decade working with children in different capacities, including raising my own three biological children. Each child is unique and wonderfully created. Until we look at a child through their unique lens, we will be doing them a disservice instead of equipping them to reach their fullest potential.
I am an advocate at heart. I spent years advocating for children in the court system through foster care. I will never forget the first case I had. The child, under the age of 10, had a medication list nine deep with strong anti-psychotic medications. When I asked why he was on so many medications, the social worker responded by saying, “It is the only way to keep him calm and his behaviors manageable.” My heart sank. This interaction was more than 15 years ago and yet, professionals are using the same approach today.
I began working for a non-profit, supporting families and their children with challenges, I sought out-of-the-box thinking that was proven and works. This journey led me to meet Bette Lamont, my teacher, of Neurodevelopmental Movement®. Within 10 minutes of hearing her lecture, something inside resonated and screamed THIS IS IT! This is the missing piece you have been looking for!
My experience is focused on adopted children and the family dynamics. Adopting a child is supposed to be a blessing. It often can be a burden, as no one really understands what goes on behind closed doors. I get it! I see you and know what you are really facing. I also have experience with families whose biological child has been diagnosed with Autism, DMDD, ODD, ADHD, Dyslexia and more.
Serving families in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
Also working with group homes with RAD youth.
Connect with Rene
(704) 202-6341
renesmith.ndm@gmail.com
www.NeuroSolutionsInternational.com