fbpx

Tag: reflex integration

What are Primitive Reflexes?

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-section birth
  • 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

 

Written By: Jessica Frederick, COTA/L

Reflex Integration

Reflex Integration

What are reflexes?

Reflexes are automatic responses that occur out of someone’s control in response to an external stimulus or facilitated movement.  Reflexes are necessary automatic movements that are essential for survival as a baby and are what helps a baby develop movement. 

Each reflex is present and integrated at different parts of development.  An example is the rooting reflex, when the baby’s cheek is stroked the baby will turn their head in the direction of the stimulus and open their mouth automatically. This reflex allows the baby to find their mother’s breast and is essential for feeding.  This reflex will usually integrate around 4 months of age once the infant starts to develop volitional control and has learned how to respond IND when they smell, feel and see mother’s breast.  

Unintegrated Reflexes

Reflexes can become problematic when they are delayed or unintegrated. In the case of the rooting reflex, if it is not present at birth it can impact IND feeding response or if present after feeding can impact speech, eating, and response to facial touching.  Common things you might see in your child if this reflex is not integrated include trouble pronouncing words, difficult breaking thumb sucking, messy eatering, or has poor tolerance to kissing or touching their face. 

Unintegrated Reflex Red Flags

There are many reflexes and each has a vital role and can have a huge impact on development if delayed or not integrated at the right time.  Some of the red flags to look for include

  • difficulty or delayed gross motor skills
  • difficulty or delayed fine motor skills
  • emotional lability
  • poor tolerance to new situations
  • difficulty with learning/writing
  • poor vision
  • poor attention
  • bed wetting
  • difficulty with potty training
  • abnormal muscle tone
  • poor tolerance to certain movements.

Next Steps

If you have any of these concerns you should try physical and/or occupational therapy to perform movements that are designed to help with reflex integration.  In addition, your therapist will be able to work on the functional or emotional skills your child is having difficulty with to improve their IND and participation.

Find Answers & Get Started

Continue reading

Physical Therapy

Pediatric Physical Therapy

  • Serial Casting

Questions about Physical Therapy? 

[receiver]

708-478-1820

[calendar]

Schedule a screening

BDI Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapy is for more than just injury rehab or treatment of a diagnosed motor condition. Many children need short term Physical Therapy to address minor challenges or concerns noted by parents. A diagnosis is not required or necessary.

Casting for Pediatric Orthotics

Physical Therapy can help with

  • Infant head shape: flat spots or other differences
  • Bladder and Bowel Training
  • Gross motor development
  • Milestones related to walking, sitting, crawling
  • Sports Performance
  • Scoliosis Intervention
  • Bike Riding
  • Difficulties in Gym and Physical Education Class
  • Muscle strengthening
  • Posture / postural control
  • Pre-gait and gait training
  • Neuromuscular function
  • Environmental adaptations / seating and positioning
  • Splinting / bracing / orthotics
  • Improving endurance
  • Coordination of movements
  • Balance training
  • Family education

If your child does have a diagnosed condition

If your child does have a diagnosed condition, you can feel confident in our collaborative team approach that brings multiple specialties together to address the whole picture and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.  Our therapists have a high commitment to continuing education and stay in tune with the latest research-proven methods for the treatment of:

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Spina Bifida
  • Down Syndrome
  • Sports injuries
  • Scoliosis
  • Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Torticollis
  • Brachial Plexus injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Decreased coordination
  • Incontinence
  • Various other motor conditions

Reflex

Physical therapists assist children in reaching their fullest potential in functional independence and fitness.

Innovative programs are aimed at:

  • Enhancing strength, coordination and balance
  • Physical fitness
  • Wellness for optimal quality of life

If you have questions or concerns, a free 30 minute screening with a Pediatric PT is a GREAT place to start. Our therapists work with children with or without a diagnosis.

Schedule a screening

A-Z of our PT Services

A

Adaptive Sports

Aquatic Therapy

B

Balance

Ball Skills

Bike Riding

Bilateral Coordination

Biofeedback

Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction

C

Coordination 

D

Developmental Screening

Dynamic Serial Casting

E

Early Intervention

Environmental Adaptations

F

Family Education

G

Gait Training

Gross Motor Skills

H

Health Promotion

Head Shape

Home Exercise Program

I

Incontinence Training

Infant Massage

Intensive therapy

K

Kinesiology Taping

M

Motor Learning

Myofascial Release

N

Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT)

O

Orthotic Assessment and Training

P

Pelvic Floor Education

Positioning to assist with feeding

Postural Awareness and Training

Prosthetic Training

R

Reflex Integration

S

Scoliosis

Schroth Therapy

Serial Casting

Sports Injury Recovery

Strengthening

T

Toe Walking

Total Motion Release (TMR)

Torticollis

V

Visual Motor

W

Wheelchair Assessments

We are proud to collaborate with


Great Feedback from Great Families

My son Jayden is 11 and has been coming to BDI for the past 4 years. BDI has become family in the way they treat my son. I truly feel deep in my heart if it wasn’t for his PT my son wouldn’t be walking the way he is today. BDI hires only the BEST. Every child here is treated with respect and love and each parent is respected and appreciated for their role in their child’s treatment plan.”

Getting Started With Physical Therapy

Find answers here

Still not sure? Learn more about whether your child needs therapy here


https://totalmotionrelease.com/tmrhome
https://www.bedwettingandaccidents.com/find-a-provider


Continue reading