What are Primitive Reflexes? How can they affect my child?
Each child is born with a set of critical reflexes that are integral to survival. A primitive reflex is an action that is performed as a response to a stimulus without conscious thought. For example: when you brush the side of your newborn’s cheek the baby will turn his head to root for food. This is the rooting reflex. Typically the reflex integrates or fades away as the neurological system matures. When a reflex does not integrate the child may demonstrate behavior and personality traits that correlate with that reflex. Through specific exercises the child gains more control of their body and no longer relies on primitive movement patterns. This ultimately improves the child’s physical and emotional control.
Symptoms of Retained Reflexes:
Anxiety
Toe walking
Speech Issues
Poor gross motor coordination
Sensory concerns
Clumsy
Poor fine motor coordination
Bed wetting
Poor eye hand coordination
Motion sickness
Unable to sit still
Picky eating
What are the causes or retained reflexes?
Developmental delay
C-sectionbirth
Premature birth
Stroke in utero
Exposure to toxins
Trauma during and/or after birth
Autism
Neurodivergent
These are just a few of the potential causes that may prevent reflexes from fading away
What can we do about it?
Specific exercises can be done to help those primitive reflexes fade away. Contact an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist who can help assess which primitive reflexes are present and give you some ideas to help your child. With professional guidance, you can implement strategies and exercises tailored to your child’s needs, aiding in their physical and emotional development.
Understanding and addressing retained reflexes can significantly impact your child’s growth and well-being. If you notice any of the symptoms listed, consider consulting a specialist to provide the support your child needs to thrive. Please contact BDI playhouse for a free screen at (708)478-1820 or info@bdiplayhouse.com.
Primative Reflexes- The Good, The Bad, The Better!
Have you ever tripped and simultaneously reached out your hands to stop the fall? That is your primitive reflexes at work! They are essential as the first line of defense to protect ourselves but they can also be detrimental to our development.
What are primitive reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are involuntary motor responses present at infancy that facilitate survival. Pediatricians check these reflexes at wellness visits to ensure the nervous system is working properly. It is important that these reflexes are present but it is just as important that these reflexes mature or integrate in early childhood.
The Good:
REFLEX
GOOD
Moro Reflex
The startle reflex
A fear response to sudden movements or noise
Hands Pulling
Head control reflex and the ability to contract our muscles to sit up
Hands Supporting
Our falling reflex. Ability to reach out and catch yourself.
Tonic Labyrinthine (TLR)
Develops balance and spatial awareness
STNR
Head, limbs and balance system connection
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR):
Differentiates our left and right side.
Spinal Galant
Connects the trunk and lower body
Amphibian
Activates nerves between both hemispheres of the brain
Babinski:
Supports mature walking and balance
Babkin
Tongue and mouth coordination for eating and speaking
Plantar
Protective response to provide stability
Palmar
Advances fine motor movements of fingers.
Landau
Promotes ability to control head in tummy time
Why do reflexes need to integrate?
We unconsciously use these reflexes everyday, but what happens when we are unable to consciously control them? That’s what happens when reflexes don’t integrate. It’s like being in a self driving car and not being able to take control of the wheel, which can be very scary. Sometimes our reflexes do not mature because of abnormal movement patterns in utero or infancy, neurological deficits, or just unknown reasons. These primitive neuro connections are powerful and can inhibit our ability to voluntarily control our body and mind if they are retained.
How do reflexes affect development?
A retained reflex can present in strange ways causing possible behavioral, emotional, sensory and physical deficts. Not all reflexes present the same way in every person but they do have common patterns. The infant’s movements work together in sequence during development. If one reflex does not integrate it can cause others to also be retained. It is not uncommon to see two, three, or almost all the reflexes present during a primitive reflex evaluation. The following are common traits you might see if reflexes are retained.
The Bad- Unintegrated Primative Reflexes
REFLEX
GOOD
BAD
Moro Reflex
The startle reflex
A fear response to sudden movements or noise
Anxiety
Difficulty sleeping
Insecure
Sensitive to light
Sound and/or touch
Emotional
Common in toe walkers
Hands Pulling
Head control reflex and the ability to contract our muscles to sit up
Poor muscle tone
Poor hand, eye, and mouth coordination
Delayed gross and fine motor movements
Hands Supporting
Our falling reflex. Ability to reach out and catch yourself.
Clumsy
Poor personal boundaries
Aggressive
Avoids interactions
Difficulty processing information
Tonic Labyrinthine (TLR)
Develops balance and spatial awareness
Motion sickness
Poor sense of time and organizational skills
Coordination difficulty
Spatial and balance problem
STNR
Head, limbs and balance system connection
Crawling difficulty
Low muscle tone
Slumps while seated
Difficulty copying tasks
Poor attention
W sits
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR):
Differentiates our left and right side.
Challenged with crossing midline
Difficulty catching
Focus and memory difficulty
Auditory challenges
Dyslexia
Spinal Galant
Connects the trunk and lower body
Postural deficits
Hip rotation effecting gait
Hyperactive
Fatigues with cognitive functions
Bed wetting
Amphibian
Activates nerves between both hemispheres of the brain
Rigid movements
Limited stride length
Poor coordination
No rotational movement
No hand dominance
Babinski:
Supports mature walking and balance
Tripping
Stabilizes with tongue
Oral motor and articulation deficits
Flat feet
Walks on toes or sides of feet
Babkin
Tongue and mouth coordination for eating and speaking
Open mouth posture
Poor mouth coordination
Lacks facial expression
Speech delay
Sensory chewer
Plantar
Protective response to provide stability
Grasping hands
Poor running/jumping
One sided crawl
Standing delay
Fight/flight response to loss of balance.
Palmar
Advances fine motor movements of fingers.
Landau
Promotes ability to control head in tummy time
Poor posture
Clumsy
High tone in legs
Visual challenges
Depression and fears
Poor focus and balance
The Better:
It is extremely common to have one or more reflexes present and you might even identify some of these traits in yourself. That does not mean it needs to be treated unless the reflex is so dominant that it interferes with the ability to learn, be safe and thrive. Reflex therapy helps to identify and create an individualized reflex exercise program to promote integration. The brain responds by taking the wheel and improves control over it’s own mind and body. Now that’s better!
If you think your child may have primitive reflexes present we can help! Free primitive reflex screenings are available via Zoom or in person at our Orland Park or Naperville/Aurora locations.