Primitive Reflexes and impact on development

Do you feel like you just can’t put your finger on a concern you have for your child? Maybe potty training is not going as well as you had hoped and there is no medical reason for it.

Maybe they experience a fight or flight reaction when they are presented with certain tasks.

Maybe you have sought help for their reading difficulties but even the best tutors don’t seem to help.

There is a possibly that your child may have retained primitive reflexes!

Primitive reflex retention is becoming a concern within the pediatric population. Retained primitive reflexes can impact everything from toileting to motor planning to increased allergy response to visual motor deficits according to the most recent research. Unfortunately, retained primitive reflexes are not obvious to an untrained eye which impacts being able to treat our pediatric clientele from the ground up properly.

Primitive reflexes are automatic, involuntary movement that help infants to thrive, learn to move, eat and stay safe. Primitive reflexes are housed in the brainstem and although most are present at birth, some develop within the first year of life. And once they are no longer needed, they integrate into the nervous system.

But when primitive reflexes don’t integrate, the impact on learning and development can be detrimental to your child. Research tells us that reflexes can be retained through a variety of pathways such as:

·       C-section

·       Trauma

·       Exposure to toxins

·       Certain anesthetics and medications

·       Torticollis

The purpose of the Moro Reflex is Fight or Flight reaction.

Signs and Symptoms:

·       Anxiety

·       Sensory Sensitivities

·       Moodiness/aggression

·       Lowered Immunity

·       Poor balance and/or motion sickness

·       Exaggerated responses to input (examples?)

The purpose of Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is to assist with movement through the birth canal at delivery and is important for cross pattern movements such as rolling over.

Signs and Symptoms:

·       Decreased hand eye coordination

·       Decreased visual motor skills

·       Decreased bilateral coordination

·       Uncoordinated gait patterns

·       Difficulties with math and reading

·       Poor balance

The purpose of Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) is a foundational skill for crawling.

Signs and Symptoms:

·       Poor seated posture (impacts ocular alignment and visual fixation)

·       Poor standing posture

·       Ape-like heavy walking

·       Low Muscle Tone

·       W Sitting

·       Sloppy/messy eater

·       Poor hand eye coordination

.

The Rooting Reflex is an autonomic response to locate food and breast.

Signs and Symptoms:

·       Tongue ties

·       Picky/stubborn eater/oral sensitivity

·       Difficulty chewing

·       Thumb sucking

·       Speech Delays

The purpose of the Palmar Grasp Reflex is for autonomic flexion of the fingers when the palm is stimulated.

Signs and Symptoms:

·       Poor manual dexterit

·       Poor grasp

·       Poor visual coordination

·       Poor posture during handwriting

·       Poor writing

·       Dysfunction of tactile and proprioceptive systems

The purpose of the Spinal Gallant Reflex is to help during childbirth by facilitating movement of the hips while the infant is descending the birth canal.

Signs and Symptoms:

·       Postural issues

·       Misaligned or rotated pelvis

·       Low back pain

·       Bedwetting after potty training/BM difficulties

·       Hyperactivity

·       Attention and Concentration problems

·       Decreased endurance

·       Poor LE coordination

·       Pain and tension in legs

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is the foundation for postural stability for large muscle groups. TLR develops in utero and should be integrated by age 3 and a half.

Signs and Symptoms:

·       Decreased balance

·       Poor Spatial Awareness

·       Toe Walking

·       Hypermobility of joints

·       Weak Muscles

·       Poor Posture

·       Poor ability to climb

·       Atypical Head position (tilting forward or to the side)

The Landau Reflex is necessary for postural development. It appears at 4-5 months and integrates at about a year of age.

Signs and Symptoms:

·       Poor posture and muscle tone

·       Poor coordination that requires the UB and LB to work together

·       Delayed motor development

 If you have concerns about any of this information or want more, call us today!