What are Primitive Reflexes?

What are Primitive Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes: are reflexes that a baby is born with that typically go away(integrate) within the first year of life. 

• Q: What happens if primitive reflexes do not go away within the first year of life?
• A: If these reflexes are not integrated they can interfere with the brain’s normal functioning and cause learning problems, sensory problems, behavioral problems, social problems, or health problems.

What Are The Most Common Retained Reflexes?

• Moro Reflex: can contribute to impulsivity, emotional immaturity, sensory problems, difficulty with transitions, disliking change or surprises.
• Landau Reflex: can contribute to poor attention, toe walking, weak upper body, poor posture and disorganization. 
• Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR): can contribute to poor coordination, poor depth perception, awkward walk, difficulty with math/reading, and eye/ear/foot/hand dominance not on same side. 
• Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR): can contribute to poor attention, poor posture, poor hand eye coordination, sloppy eater, w-sitting, and skipped crawling. 
• Spinal Galant Reflex: can contribute to poor concentration, difficulty sitting still, and poor attention to task
• Palmer Reflex: can contribute to poor handwriting, poor dexterity, poor vision coordination, poor posture when using hands, and poor pencil grip. 

How to Integrate Retained Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes can be integrated through the successful completion of exercises specific to each reflex. Many issues that are caused by retained reflexes are greatly improved after the reflex is integrated through exercises.

Thank you to Hannah Smith, Physical Therapist for sharing your knowledge and these tips on primitive reflexes!