Understanding Primitive Reflexes: The Hidden Keys to Your Child’s Development
If you’ve ever marveled at your newborn’s automatic movements—like their little hands grasping your finger or their body startling at a loud sound—you’ve seen primitive reflexes in action. These reflexes are automatic, instinctive movements that develop in the womb and are present at birth. They help babies survive, grow, and begin to interact with their world.
But here’s something many parents don’t realize:
Primitive reflexes are meant to go away.
As your child’s brain and nervous system mature, these early reflexes should become integrated—meaning they are no longer automatic and instead are replaced by intentional, controlled movements. Integration is a sign that your child’s nervous system is developing as it should, allowing for higher-level motor, sensory, and cognitive skills to emerge.
How Reflexes Become Integrated
Through movement, play, and sensory experiences, the brain learns to control the body in more refined ways. Rolling, crawling, creeping, walking, and climbing all help the brain organize these early reflexes. When the right sequence of development happens, reflexes “quiet down,” freeing the body and brain for learning, coordination, focus, and emotional regulation.
Signs of Unintegrated Reflexes
When primitive reflexes remain active beyond infancy, they can interfere with everyday function. Children with unintegrated reflexes may experience:
Poor balance or coordination
Difficulty sitting still or paying attention
Handwriting or fine motor challenges
Trouble with reading, tracking, or visual focus
Sensitivity to sounds, touch, or movement
Emotional outbursts or anxiety
Sleep disturbances
Toe walking or clumsiness
Challenges with bladder control or posture
These signs can sometimes be mistaken for behavioral or sensory issues, but often, they’re a clue that the nervous system is still working through earlier developmental stages.
Why This Matters
When we identify and support unintegrated reflexes through purposeful movement, we help the brain “catch up” and function more efficiently. This can lead to improvements in focus, coordination, emotional regulation, and overall confidence—because the foundation for learning and self-regulation is strengthened.
What’s Next in the Series
Over the next few weeks, we’ll explore each primitive reflex in depth, including:
The Moro Reflex (the startle response)
The ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)
The STNR (Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)
The TLR (Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex)
The Spinal Galant Reflex
The Babinski and Palmar Reflexes
The Fear Paralysis Reflex, and more
You’ll learn how each reflex supports development, what it looks like when it’s unintegrated, and practical ways therapy can help.
Call to Action
If your child struggles with focus, coordination, or sensory challenges—and you’re wondering if retained primitive reflexes might be part of the picture—let’s talk.
Schedule a consultation or reach out to learn more about how occupational therapy can help your child move, learn, and thrive with confidence.