Primitive Reflexes
Primitive Reflex Integration for Children
Primitive reflexes are involuntary movement patterns controlled by the brain stem and are executed without reaching the cortical or conscious part of the brain. All primitive reflexes emerge in utero. These reflexes are Moro Reflex, Palmar Reflex, Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex, Rooting reflex, Spinal Galant reflex, Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex and Symmetrical Tonic next reflect.
These primary reflexes are all necessary for infants survival and during its transition to the world. Together they help the infant go through the birth canal, take its first breath, withdraw from hazardous stimuli, urinate, creep, grasp, lift its head, open its mouth, suck and swallow, and kick. All these movements are involuntary, and the infant cannot control or know what it is doing. Each primitive reflex has its own benefit and is a building block to the infants’ future movements and how it perceives the world via its senses. When the infant is in utero and after birth, it does not know what it needs or how to get it, it just has primitive reflexes. Instinctively the infant responds to the world via these primitive reflexes.
Primitive Reflexes are the first part of the brain to develop. They should do their job and then be 'put to bed' in the brain stem in the first few months of life. These reflexes usually do this naturally and then postural reflexes emerge. Postural reflexes are more mature patterns that control balance, coordination, and sensory motor development.
The persistence of primitive reflexes contributes to issues such as coordination, balance, sensory perceptions, fine motor skills, sleep, immunity, energy levels, impulse control, concentration, and all levels of social, emotional, and academic learning.
Retention of primitive reflexes can be caused by a variety of factors. Factors may include:
Early developmental trauma in womb
Traumatic Birth experiences
Birth by c section
Trauma
Lack of tummy time
Head trauma
Delayed or skipped creeping/crawling
chronic ear infections
School
Your child cannot concentrate, focus, maintain attention and struggles to sit still. Does your child struggles with learning, managing their emotions with schoolwork often resulting in emotional outbursts? Extra tuition or support at school is not having the intended result, it may even be making the situation worse? Primitive Reflexes could be playing a part. Primitive Reflex Integration could be the solution.
Brain Development Services offer Reflex Integration Assessments and Packages of support using Rhythmic Movement (RMTi) and Playful activities to support reflex integration.
Contact us to book a consultation.