As babies, we are born with primitive reflexes – rooting, grasp, startle, suck, etc.  These movements are done automatically by the baby to keep herself safe.  As the baby matures, her brain should no longer be influenced by these automatic responses to stimulus.  The primitive reflexes integrate in the brain as the baby/toddler/child moves on to learn new things. 

 If primitive reflexes don’t integrate, the automatic movements remain and interfere with brain function. The result? Children experience challenges with learning, reading, math, sitting still and more.

How do primitive reflexes naturally integrate?

As the baby physically does the movements that create the primitive reflex responses (suck, grasp, startle, step, etc.) over and over again, the brain learns that it does not need to react to these stimulus any more. The baby stops reacting automatically to the stimulus and the primitive reflex then is considered integrated.

Primitive reflexes are meant to integrate naturally through movement, and the baby moves on to achieve developmental milestones.

Learning head control, experiencing tummy time, rolling, crawling, etc. - these are all examples of natural movements that will assist in natural primitive reflex integration.

What if primitive reflexes do not integrate?

Each primitive reflex comes with its own set of movements and leads to new and different developmental milestones.

If a specific reflex is does not integrate, the retained primitive reflex interferes with the baby learning the next body movement or skill.

Retained primitive reflexes can interfere with learning and behaviour.

Here are our top 20 behaviours that could occur for children with retained primitive reflexes: 

1. Distracted and fidgety

2. Unable to sit still

3. Learning difficulties

4. Struggles with written and verbal instructions

5. Challenges with reading and/or math

6. Poor handwriting

7. Tight pencil grip

8. Difficulty doing fine finger movements like stringing beads

9. Opens and closes hands when writing or cutting with scissors

10. Sticks out tongue when using hands

11. Motion sickness

12. Anxious or fearful

13. Clumsy

14. Walks with toes pointed in or out

15. Very ticklish

16. Bed wetting beyond age 5

17. IBS over the age of 4 years

18. Thumb sucking beyond 1.5 years old

19. Eats with hands rather than utensils

20. Doesn’t like to walk on grass