Unlocking Potential: How Occupational Therapists Succeed with Primitive Reflex Exercises

Posted onMay 6, 2025May 6, 2025AuthorBarbara B.

Primitive reflexes, the involuntary motor responses present at birth, play a crucial role in early development. These reflexes typically integrate—or fade—as a child matures, making way for more advanced motor and cognitive skills. However, when primitive reflexes persist beyond infancy, they can interfere with a child’s ability to learn, focus, and coordinate their body. Occupational therapists (OTs) across the world are seeing remarkable success by incorporating primitive reflex integration exercises into therapy, helping children overcome developmental delays and reach their full potential.

What Are Primitive Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes include responses such as the Moro (startle) reflex, ATNR (asymmetrical tonic neck reflex), and the Palmar grasp reflex. While these automatic movements are essential for survival and early development, their continued presence can hinder everyday functioning in older children. Unintegrated reflexes may manifest as poor posture, fidgeting, difficulty with handwriting, clumsiness, or struggles with reading and attention.

The Role of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals participate in everyday activities through therapeutic techniques. For children, this often involves supporting sensory processing, fine motor skills, and executive functioning. In recent years, many OTs have adopted reflex integration exercises—structured movement sequences that mimic early developmental patterns—to assist children whose primitive reflexes remain active.

These exercises aim to “complete” the developmental processes that should have naturally occurred in infancy. The therapy is non-invasive and movement-based, often designed as playful, rhythmic activities tailored to a child’s age and developmental level.

Evidence of Success

While research into primitive reflex integration is ongoing, clinical outcomes have been compelling. Many OTs report improvements in:

Attention and focus: Children who were once easily distracted often show greater ability to sit still and follow instructions.
Handwriting and motor control: Reflex integration can help refine fine motor skills by reducing the neurological interference that impacts hand stability.
Emotional regulation: Some children exhibit decreased anxiety and better self-control after consistent use of these exercises.
Academic performance: Better motor planning and attention can translate into improved reading fluency, comprehension, and math skills.

Case studies and parent testimonials frequently highlight dramatic improvements after just a few months of consistent therapy. For instance, a child struggling with dysgraphia may begin writing legibly after integrating the Palmar reflex, or a child with ADHD symptoms might show better classroom behavior following Moro reflex work.

Why It Matters

The success of primitive reflex exercises underscores the importance of looking at neurodevelopment through a holistic lens. By addressing foundational brain and body connections, occupational therapists can intervene where traditional behavioral or educational approaches might fall short.

Moreover, this method offers a hopeful pathway for children with sensory processing disorders, autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities—conditions often linked with retained primitive reflexes.

Moving Forward

While not every child with developmental challenges has retained reflexes, screening for them is becoming more common in occupational therapy assessments. Tools like the Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT) and the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) method are gaining traction among therapists seeking effective, science-informed solutions.

Parents and educators working with OTs are encouraged to support consistency at home, where reflex exercises can be incorporated into play or bedtime routines for maximum benefit.

Conclusion

Primitive reflex integration is not a magic bullet, but for many children, it’s a missing piece of the puzzle. Through targeted, consistent work, occupational therapists are helping children rewire the most fundamental layers of their nervous system—laying the groundwork for greater independence, confidence, and success.

Why Do Primitive Reflexes Reappear After Integration

Posted onFebruary 13, 2025February 13, 2025AuthorBarbara B.

Many people wonder why some primitive reflexes seem to return or even intensify before improving during or after integration therapies. This question intrigued me as well, so I conducted research to better understand the phenomenon. I had previously observed this firsthand with my daughter, who showed no signs of the Landau reflex until I progressed further in integrating her Moro reflex. Then, the Landau reflex became more apparent and noticeable.

Understanding Reflex Reintegration

To gain deeper insights, I consulted Dr. Robert Melillo, a leading expert in primitive reflex integration with over 25 years of experience. His work, supported by multiple studies and shed light on why these reflexes might appear more pronounced before they diminished.

Children with persistent primitive reflexes often have lower sensory awareness and diminished body perception. Initially, physical or auditory stimuli used to test reflex responses may elicit little reaction. However, as integration progresses and neurological connections strengthen, their response to stimulus increases. This heightened response is sometimes misinterpreted as a worsening of the reflex, leading some to prematurely discontinue therapy. In reality, this reaction often indicates that the integration exercises are effectively enhancing brain function. Stopping therapy too soon may prevent full reflex integration.

primitive reflexes return after integration

A Key Exception: Incorrect Hemispheric Integration

In some cases, a reflex may genuinely strengthen if hemispheric integration is applied incorrectly. Hemispheric integration involves stimulating one side of the brain to support an underactive hemisphere. If a clinician misidentifies the weaker side and stimulates the wrong hemisphere, the reflex can become more pronounced. However, when the correct hemisphere is stimulated, the reflex response should diminish almost immediately. Dr. Melillo has demonstrated this principle in a compelling YouTube video recorded during one of his conferences.

Why Do Reflexes Reappear After Full Integration?

Some individuals experience the reappearance of primitive reflexes even after completing integration therapy. Several factors may contribute to this:

Incomplete Integration: Reflexes may appear to be fully integrated but may not have been completely resolved. Some parents halt therapy too soon after noticing a reduction in reflex activity. To ensure full integration, exercises should continue for at least a month after no reflex signs are present.
Developmental Changes: The overall neurological health of an individual can influence reflex activity. Conditions such as ADHD, autism, ADD, or sensory processing disorders may indicate broader neurological imbalances. For example, my daughter, who had ADHD, thrived for years after integration but experienced some regression as she entered puberty. Reintroducing reflex integration and hemispheric exercises helped her regain neurological balance. Brain maturation can sometimes lead to slight shifts in neural connectivity, necessitating follow-up treatments.
Neurological Degeneration or Trauma: In aome cases, brain degeneration or damage may cause the return of primitive reflexes. This can occur due to stroke, dementia, seizure disorders, or degenerative brain diseases. Additionally, physical trauma or psychological stress, such as injury or abuse, may trigger reflex reactivation.

Conclusion

In most cases, properly integrated reflexes should not reappear. If a clinician frequently encounters recurring reflexes, extending the therapy duration and employing varied testing methods may be beneficial. Understanding the underlying causes of reflex reactivation ensures that integration therapies are more effective and long-lasting.

How Primitive Reflexes Helped My Child’s Dyslexia

Posted onMarch 8, 2024January 18, 2024AuthorMadeline Boss

Nate had struggled his entire life with Dyslexia and reading comprehension. For years I looked for a solution, anything that could benefit his learning. I had studied different techniques and programs that had been known to help Dyslexics, but it all seemed to be helping some of the symptoms of Dyslexia, not the root of the problem. We could practice phonics and site words all we wanted, and he would improve a little, but not as much as we hoped. Problem was that the improvement was slow and as he grew, so did the gap between what he should have been able to read, and what he really could read. The thing was, he was super smart. He had a gift with three dimensional and spatial type work. He could be an amazing architect, engineer or sculptor if he could just get through all the paper work of high school. I knew he was smarter than his reading abilities were showing he was.

Problem was, school is all about reading, so it was making him feel like he wasn’t as smart as the other kids. It was killing his confidence and making him hate school. It drove me crazy because I knew how intelligent he was.

He wasn’t a quitter, and didn’t give up, but struggled all through high school. He had been in IEP programs and struggled with Dyslexia, Auditory Processing and over active Sensory Processing. Toward the end of his years in high school, I found something that would change our lives. I began studying and learning information on neuroplasticity (the brains ability to rewire), Sensory cognitive exercises (to build better connections in the brain) and Visual Therapy.

The exercises, and Vision Therapy, were helping him a lot with reading, and I was so happy about it, but there were still a few areas we needed to work on. He still struggled with Auditory and Sensory issues.

Then I learned all about Primitive Reflexes. I dove in and learned everything I could, reading books, searching websites, and even attended a lecture about it. We eventually tested and found that some of his Primitive Reflexes had not integrated as a baby. These Reflexes were well known for causing visual problems, reading issues and some of his physical problems with his hips, back, knees and gait which he had struggled with since he first started to walk.

“This is very common in Dyslexics that did not crawl as babies”

I was so excited! Finally, solutions that were doing more than just putting a band aid on the problem. I had looked so long and hard for something that actually worked, and we had finally found it.

More About Testing for Primitive Reflexes

Within a couple of months after starting the Primitive Reflex Integration Exercises, these other problems started to improve. He noticed being able to understand and remember verbal instructions better. He noticed a big improvement in discerning one person’s voice in a crowd and not being as sensitive to noisy rooms. He noticed his reading and comprehension improving. He even started buying his own books and reading for enjoyment. This was a big leap of improvement. He used to avoid books and even avoid looking at open pages because they would make him feel nauseous. I was over the moon! I only wished I had found all of that information sooner.

At the time I write this, Nate is 22 years old now and doing great. He is positive about his future and continues to work at self-improvement exercises. He is successful at his job and supports himself. Nate recently became an investor and part owner of Solve Learning Disabilities, LLC. Check out other Dyslexia Interventions.

Palmar Reflex and Dysgraphia

Posted onFebruary 14, 2024February 14, 2024AuthorMadeline Boss

As I embarked on a journey to understand various learning disabilities and primitive reflexes, I frequently pondered the connection between the Palmar Reflex and dysgraphia. Through extensive research and learning from numerous sources, I’ve distilled a simple explanation of this relationship.

Understanding the Palmar Reflex

The Palmar Reflex, otherwise known as the Grasp Reflex, is a primitive reflex we see in infants. It is shown when a baby grasps anything that touches their palm. This primitive reflex is developed in the third month of gestation and typically disappears when a baby is between 3 to 6 months in age. However, when this reflex persists beyond 6 months, it can lead to various challenges including:

· Reduced dexterity

· Impaired fine motor control

· Poor hand-eye coordination

These issues can hinder a child’s ability to hold objects like pencils, contributing to the development of dysgraphia.

Exploring Dysgraphia

So, what is Dysgraphia? How is it different from Dyslexia? While Dyslexia is focused more on a child’s reading, Dysgraphia is more centered around a child’s handwriting. Children with dysgraphia struggle to translate their thoughts into written form, often becoming apparent in early schooling. While scientists aren’t completely sure what causes dysgraphia, it is clear that there is a link between children who have retained Palmar Reflex and children who develop Dysgraphia. The child’s struggles to properly grasp a pencil and use their fine motor skills lends to their struggles with writing, spelling and even with their typing.

Identifying and Testing for Retained Palmar Reflex

Now that we know what Dysgraphia and Retained Palmar Reflex are, what now? How do we determine if our child exhibits a Retained Palmar reflex? While testing for Dysgraphia can be difficult at times, there is a quick and simple test to show if your child may have Retained Palmar Reflex.

1. Ask your child to extend their arms in front of them, keeping their arms straight and their palms facing up, fingers spread.

2. Using a gentle motion, stroke along the line in their palm that extends from the base of the thumb across to the wrist—this is known as the life line.

3. Repeat this stroking motion three times on each hand.

4. Look for any involuntary twitches in the fingers or bending of the elbows during the process.

If either hand or elbow shows movement, the reflex is most likely present.

To discover strategies for helping your child overcome a Retained Palmar Reflex with practical exercises at home, visit: www.solvelearningdisabilities.com/retained-palmar-reflex/.

Moro Reflex Test For Children Of All Abilities

Posted onMarch 16, 2021November 29, 2023AuthorBarbara B.1 Comment

Testing for a retained Moro Reflex can be difficult with a very young or disabled person. This is an alternative test you can use to test for the Moro Reflex or Startle Reflex.

Start by having the child lay on the ground with their palms down. Lift their head off the ground and quickly lower it to ilicit a Startle Reflex. If they have a retained Moro Reflex, they may do one or all of the following:

Jump
Flip their palms over.
Heave their chest for a few seconds.

Warning: Consult their physician before doing this test if there is a chance it may be unsafe for them. For example, if they have a seizure disorder, neck problems, etc.

Be sure to check out our other Moro Reflex test . Also, our other Primitive Reflex tests and exercises.

If a Moro Reflex is present, it can contribute to:

Easily Distracted
Hypersensitive to sensory stimuli like light and sound and touch.
Over sensitivity to motion causing car sickness
Or under sensitivity to sensory stimuli
Overreacts
Impulsive and aggressive
Emotional immaturity
Withdrawn or timid and shy
ADD
ADHD
Autism Spectrum
Asperger’s
Sensory Disorders
Difficulty making friends
Depression
Dyslexia
Health Problems
Allergies and Asthma
Anger or Emotional Outbursts
Poor Balance and Coordination
Poor Digestion and Food Sensitivities

Make a difference now. See our products for Integrating the Moro Reflex.

Does Primitive Reflex Integration Really Work

Posted onSeptember 23, 2018December 16, 2020AuthorBarbara B.

Because we use this on our own precious children, we did A LOT of research on Primitive Reflex Integration. We found quite a bit of studies justifying it’s effectiveness. We also took a course with Dr. Robert Melillo, founder of over 80 Brain Balance Centers, author of 4 books including Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood and is the executive director of the National Institute for Brain and Rehabilitation Sciences. He has personally been using Primitive Reflex Integration with his clients for many years. He testified to us of his personal work with Primitive Reflex and the positive affect it has made on his clients.

You can check out our Resource Page to see the studies.

Personally, I have used these on my own children and saw a difference in their behavior and development within 4 weeks. I was a busy mom, I had 8 children and am a Land Developer. Adding one more thing to my to-do list was not my favorite idea. It felt like it was a leap of faith for the first few weeks. I noticed my Dyslexic son reading and writing smoother. I also noticed my ADHD daughter being less impulsive and, for the first time, sitting with me for snuggles. I thought ‘Could this really be the Reflex Integration?’. I continued with it and it has made a huge difference in their lives.

Primitive Reflexes are the trouble makers. I eliminated their ‘trouble makers’ and they started improving quickly. It took me seeing it to really believe it. I just wanted to share that with you. Take the leap 🙂

How Primitive Reflexes Helped My Child’s ADHD

“Lyla is just really energetic.” This is what I though when Lyla was one year old. A year later, I just thought it was her young age. As she got older I noticed something was definitely different with her. Her ‘energy’ had turned into ‘wild energy’ and was interfering with her being able to sit long enough to color a picture or do things typical children at her age could do. She was having a hard time keeping friends, because she was so impulsive, bouncy and twitchy. Even her own sisters were trying to avoid letting her play with them because she couldn’t play appropriately for her age. “Don’t let Lyla in”, ‘Can you keep Lyla Out?”, “Lyla breaks everything”.

My heart broke for my sweet girl. I noticed she was getting a lot of rejection not only in the family, but also with other kids her own age, and I couldn’t really blame them. Other kids her age were mature enough now to set up little castles or villages and have story lines develop with their toys. Lyla was still making her dino eat and destroy all of their village. She couldn’t sit and have lunch with kids her age. Her food was always converted into lions or something that was destructive and annoying to the other kids. She also had a super sensitive pallet. She could taste something gross in anything I served. She seemed to have Hyper-sensitivity with her sense of taste.

However, she seemed to have an underactive sense of touch. She could run across the rocky weedy ground without a problem. She would get sores on her feet from the pokey ground but didn’t bat an eye at it. She acted like she didn’t even have feeling in her body.

She also couldn’t finish anything. She couldn’t hold eye contact. She couldn’t sit long enough for a bed-time-story. She couldn’t speak well, just a line of fast gibberish, instead of composed sentences. It seemed that everyone knew Lyla was ADHD before I could admit it. I finally realized something must be done. She wasn’t growing out of it. She couldn’t live a successful life with this.

At this time, I started to study neuroplasticity (the brains ability to rewire) and the cognitive exercises that help strengthen weak connections in the brain. I was also studying Primitive Reflexes and how they can interfere with normal neurological growth. You see, I had a Dyslexic son in high school, so I was very interested in learning everything I could about it. As I studied, I learned that the exercises were super easy and could be done at home. I also learned that they applied to other developmental disorders like ADHD, ADD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism etc.

I jumped right on it with Lyla. Doing the exercises we have here on our website with her. I also found that she had retained the Moro Reflex that is typical for kids with ADHD and causes too much cortisol and adrenaline to be produced, which keeps them in fight-or-flight mode. So yes, there are ways to treat ADHD without medication.

I was astonished to see how fast it made a difference. Within three weeks, Lyla finished her dinner one night and said “Thank You for dinner. It was delicious” My jaw dropper. Two full well composed sentences and a finished meal. Wow!

Later that month, at bed time, Lyla got her little blanky and said “I want to snuggle”. Again, I couldn’t believe my ears. She really sat there for 20 minutes that night, just snuggling and listening to a book. She started respecting peoples space more. Summer came and Lyla hurt her foot going outside with bare feet. She felt it, cried and had me get her a band-aid. Probably the first time a parent was glad to have a child cry over a hurty and need a band-aid.

Lyla is doing awesome now. She is so fun and outgoing. She has long term friends now. They are always the more energetic fun ones, of course. She can hold eye contact. She still struggles with impulse, but much less. She can feel her own body now and is very expressive with her ideas. She speaks fast, but has no problem composing her sentences. At the time I write this post, she is 9 years old. She does great in school and never gets bad behavior reports. She still has a lot of beautiful energy, but can keep it in check when she needs to.

Primitive Reflex Integration Cards-Printable

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8 Primitive Reflexes That Every Parent Should Know About

Retained Primitive Reflexes have been found to cause neurological underdevelopment in some areas affecting learning, behavior, development, vision and sensory processing. Find out what they are and how to Integrate Primitive Reflexes.

What are They?

Primitive Reflexes are the special reflexes that develop in the brain stem before birth. This set of involuntary Primitive Reflexes help the baby with positioning in the womb, birthing, the first breath of life, feeding, urination etc. Most of these Primitive Reflexes go away through the first year of life as higher functions of the brain and muscle control develop.

If the reflexes remain, they interfere with the neurological organization of the brain which causes learning, behavioral, social, sensory and health problems. These remaining reflexes are unnoticed muscle movements in older children and adults that would not normally be noticed if one did not know what to look for. They cause ongoing issues until they are solved through exercises.

Primitive Reflex Testing

Primitive Reflexes

What Can Be Done?

If any of them remain past 12 months, they are called Retained Primitive Reflexes and they are a problem. There are simple exercises that can solve each one. This process is called Integrating Primitive Reflexes. Once they are integrated through these little exercises, many Learning Disabilities, Behavioral, Sensory Disorders, and health issues disappear or are greatly improved. You need to check for each of them, even if your child is not displaying the usual symptoms. If one remains unnoticed, it slows improvement in cognitive function. We will soon be adding information on Retained Babinski Reflex.

Symptoms when Primitive Reflexes Remain:

Because Primitive Reflexes start at the base of the brain. Functions that try to develop above them don’t wire properly. It can cause or contribute to:

Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Asperger’s

Hemispheric Imbalance

Sensory Disorders

Hyper Activity

ADHD

Speech Disorders

Social Disorders

Asthma

Dyslexia

Dysgraphia

Dyscalculia

Immune Problems

Other Health Issues

Other Learning Disabilities

This is the first thing to check for. They can solve a multitude of problems. Other therapies or Brain Stimulation such as Hemispheric Integration Therapy, work best if Retained Primitive Reflexes are integrated or are being exercised first or at the same time.

How did this happen?

There are many children and adults that for one reason or another still have one or more Primitive Reflexes remaining. Some causes may include a traumatic birth, lack of “tummy time”, too much time laying in seaters or swings, induced labor, and traumatic C-Section birth. Most of the time, there is not a known reason.

Fear not. These are simple assessments and exercises that can be done 10 minutes per day for a few months. Then stimulate the other brain functions with these cognitive exercises and the Disabilities often go away or symptoms improve amazingly. Click on the individual pictures above to see the tests and exercises.

Retained Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is the foundation for head control. Baby needs it to roll, crawl, and later stand and walk. It develops in the womb and continues past the first year of life. It is usually integrated by 3 years. If not, it can cause problems.

When a baby is laying back and the head is tilted back, the baby will stiffen the legs, bend elbows, make fists or curled fingers, and the toes will point. This is normal for an infant. As the baby matures, starts to walk and gains control over the large muscles, the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex will integrate and disappear.

If the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex does not integrate, the functions that develop after do not organize correctly.

Retained Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex Symptoms

Poor balance and spatial awareness
Tense muscles and toe walking
Difficulty holding still and concentrating
Muscle tone issues
Poor posture
Difficulty paying attention when head is down (at a desk or reading)
Dyspraxia
Poor sense of rhythm
Gets motion sickness easily
Prefers to walk on toes
Speech and Auditory difficulty
Spatial issues
Bumps into things and people more than normal
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.

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Studies

Check out the latest studies on Primitive Reflex Integration. My favorite is the newest study by Harvard.

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex Tests

This is similar to the Landau Reflex Exercise, except with feet up. Have the child lie on their stomach with arms down to the side and legs straight. Have the child raise his head, legs, and arms off the floor while keeping arms and legs straight.

If they cannot keep both legs straight and hands up, the reflex is most likely still present. Exercises needed!

Another test to check for retained Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex involves tapping the knees with the opposite hand. Have the child stand. Ask them to lift one knee and tap it with the opposite hand. Then lift the other knee and tap it with the opposite hand. If this is difficult for them, the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex is most likely still present. Exercises needed!

Retained Spinal Galant Reflex

The Spinal Galant Reflex develops in the womb at about 20 weeks gestation. It helps the baby develop the Vestibular System. In Infancy, the Spinal Galant Reflex, along with the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), are necessary to help the unborn infant descend down the birth canal. It also helps the baby urinate after birth. You will see the reflex in an infant if you gently stroke down one side of the lower part of the spine. The baby’s arms and legs will sway toward the direction of the stroke almost like being ticklish. If both sides of the spine are stroked at the same time it induces urination. This is normal. However, the Spinal Galant Reflex should be gone by 3-9 months as higher muscle control develops. This is called ‘integrating’. If not properly integrated, it can cause many subtle issues.

Studies

Check out the latest studies on Primitive Reflex Integration. My favorite is the newest ADHD study by Harvard Univ. done on the Melillo Method which incorporates Primitive Reflex Integration.

Retained Spinal Galant Reflex Symptoms:

Fidgety, Hyper Activity, especially if clothes or chair brush their back.
If active down only one side, can cause scoliosis, rotated pelvis and lower back pain.
Poor concentration
Attention problems
Bedwetting long after potty training
Short term memory issues
Fidgeting and wiggly “ants in the pants”
Posture problems
Hip rotation on one side/possibly scoliosis
Low endurance
Chronic digestion problems
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.

Retained Rooting Reflex

The Rooting Reflex is important in helping an infant locate food and breast feed. It develops during pregnancy and continues until the baby is about 4 months old. You will notice the Rooting Reflex in a newborn if you brush your finger down one side of the mouth. The baby will turn toward the stroke and open the mouth. This is normal but should integrate (disappear) by about 4 months. If it is not properly integrated, it can contribute to problems in speech, writing, eating disorders and Thyroid problems. Be sure to do the Retained Rooting Reflex Test shown below on your child.

Children with eating disorders aggravated by a Retained Rooting Reflex will have a constant urge to have something in their mouth, yet are often sensitive to textures. These ones end up being the ones that are always chewing on something plastic, drools, or struggles to form their words properly. The Retained Rooting Reflex can cause the tongue to lie too far forward in the mouth. This can cause difficulty swallowing and chewing their food.

Retained Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

The Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex is present at birth then disappears until about 6 to 9 months. It reappears for a few months to assist in learning to crawl.

You will notice it in a baby if you move their chin down toward their chest. The knees will bend. If you move the head up toward the back, the legs will straighten. Do not confuse this with the Landau Reflex. They are two separate reflexes.

If this does not integrate and disappear by about 11 months, it can cause motor learning and behavior disorders. Simple exercises can solve the problem.

Retained Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Symptoms

Poor posture standing
Sits with slumpy posture
Low muscle tone
Ape-like walk
Problems with attention especially in stressful situations
Vision accommodation and tracking problems
Difficulty learning to swim
Difficulty reading
Dyslexia
Usually skips crawling
Sits with legs in a W position
ADD
ADHD
Hyper activity or fidgety
Poor hand eye coordination
Problems looking between near and far sighted objects, like copying from a chalkboard
Sloppy eater
Rotated Pelvis
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.

Studies

Check out the latest studies on Primitive Reflex Integration. My favorite is the newest study by Harvard.

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Test

Have the child get down on their hands and knees, with neck straight and their body slightly forward enough to put weight over their hands. Now ask the child to lower the head bringing the chin toward the chest for a count of 7 seconds, then raise head up toward their back. Do this several times.

Look For:

Back twitching. Back trying to arch up when head is up. Arms bending or body weight shifting back toward their legs when head goes up. If any of these occur the reflex is most likely still present. Exercise needed!

Retained Palmar Reflex or Grasp Reflex

The Palmar Reflex aka Grasp Reflex is seen when an infant grips around an object that touches their palm. This is normal and helps the baby learn to grip and hang on to things with their hands. The Palmar Reflex develops in the third month of gestation and should disappear at around 3-6 months of age as they gain hand control. It is needed for hand-eye coordination, proper vision, and direction/distance judgement. If it isn’t properly integrated it can contribute to an array of problems.

Retained Palmar Reflex Symptoms

Poor handwriting
Poor pencil grip
Poor fine muscle control
Poor dexterity
Poor fine motor skills
Poor vision coordination
Slumpy posture when using hands
Back aches when sitting
Sticks tongue out when using hands
Poor pencil grip
Poor ability to put thoughts to paper
Dysgraphia
Speech and language problems
Anger control issues
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.

Retained Moro Reflex or Startle Reflex

The Moro Reflex develops about the thirteenth week of gestation. It develops to help protect the baby from danger sensed through the sensory system and take the first breath of life. When a newborn is startled or receives sensory input like a jarring, sudden light or sound, the arms will flail out, then baby quickly takes a deep breath, then curls up crossing both the arms and legs.

This is an involuntary reflex that is part of normal development and should disappear between 2-4 months of age. Because this reflex is triggered by the sensory systems, it can cause an array of problems if it remains longer.

Pediatricians will check this reflex at the baby’s 6 week appointment to make sure it is present. They seldom check in later appointments to make sure it was integrated and gone. It is not part of the pediatric list of assessments done at later appointments.

Because of the changing environment, procedures, and lack of tummy time, more children are not integrating this reflex.

Studies

Check out the latest studies on Primitive Reflex Integration. My favorite is the newest ADHD study by Harvard Univ. done on the Melillo Method which incorporates Primitive Reflex Integration.

Retained Moro Reflex Symptoms

Easily Distracted
Hypersensitive to sensory stimuli like light and sound and touch.
Over sensitivity to motion causing car sickness
Or under sensitivity to sensory stimuli
Overreacts
Impulsive and aggressive
Emotional immaturity
Withdrawn or timid and shy
ADD
ADHD
Autism Spectrum
Asperger’s
Sensory Disorders
Difficulty making friends
Depression
Dyslexia
Health Problems
Allergies and Asthma
Anger or Emotional Outbursts
Poor Balance and Coordination
Poor Digestion and Food Sensitivities
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.

The Moro Reflex or “Startle Reflex” is the earliest development of the “fight or flight” instinct. When frightened or threatened, it triggers “reaction” or “retraction” from the threat. Because in infancy, it is triggered by the sensory system, it will cause sensory processing problems if not integrated. Because it triggers the Adrenals to “fight or flight” mode. It causes hyper activity and attention problems. Once the adrenals quickly tire of the over stimulation, the child usually develops chronic allergies, asthma, auto immune and other health problems connected with fatigued adrenals. Furthermore, when the body is in ‘fight or flight’ mode, the brain is in an instinctual state and cannot store or recall information as well. This contributes to learning disabilities.

The reflex can be easily integrated with about 6 weeks of simple exercises. Many of the symptoms will disappear or improve as the brain and body start to function better.

Studies

Check out the latest studies on Primitive Reflex Integration. My favorite is the newest study by Harvard.

Moro Reflex Test

Have the child sit on a low chair or lay on their back. Ask them to open their arms and legs out like a starfish. Now ask them to bring them in crossing them as they curl up. You may need to demonstrate it for them or let them see the pictures below. Generally they will cross with the opposite arm from leg on top. This is normal, at first, and the way they did it when startled as an infant.

Now ask them to spread arms and legs out again and cross/curl up, again but with the same arm as leg on top. Right leg and right arm on top. If they are too young to know right from left, put a sticker on the back of their right hand and on their right foreleg. Ask them to cross up with stickers on top.

Now do the same with the left side.

If they struggle doing this then the reflex is still present and needs to be integrated with “Starfish Exercises”.

For disabled children, or children too young to follow instructions, see out Moro Reflex Test for disabled.

Retained Landau Reflex

The Landau Reflex is one that develops a few months after birth and remains until about 12 months old. It is useful in helping the child develop posture. If the Landau Reflex does not integrate (go away), it can cause posture, motor, and memory issues later on.

Symptoms of Retained Landau Reflex

Low Muscle Tone
Poor Posture
Poor Motor Development
Short Term Memory Difficulty.
Tension in the back of legs, toe walker.
Lack of Stimulation in the pre frontal cortex causing attention, organization and concentration problems.
Weak upper body
Difficulty swimming the breast stroke.
Struggles to do a summersault. Knees buckle when head tucks under.
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.

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Retained Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex, like the Spinal Gallant Reflex (SGR), helps the infant do their part of emergence through the birth canal and learn hand and eye control. You will notice it in an infant if you gently turn their head to one side. The arm and leg on the same side will straighten, while the arm and leg on the opposite side will flex. The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex develops at 18 weeks after conception and should be integrated and gone by about 6 months after birth. If not, it can cause motor issues, reading, math, and other learning problems.

The connection between the hand and eyes help develop depth perception and eye-hand coordination. If the ATNR is retained the child will have difficulty walking normally when turning his head or problems writing and reading when head movement is needed, which is always. For example, writing while looking back and forth to the blackboard or a book.

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Symptoms

Reading Difficulties
Dyslexia
Hand eye coordination problems
Awkward walk or gait
Difficulty in school
Immature handwriting
Difficulty in sports
Math and reading issues
Poor balance
Eye, ear, foot, and hand dominance will not be on the same side
Difficulty in things that require crossing over the midline of the body
Poor depth perception
Shoulder, neck and hip problems
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.

Studies

Check out the latest studies on Primitive Reflex Integration. My favorite is the newest study by Harvard.

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Tests

Test 1: Have the child stand facing you with arms and hands straight out in front of them. Ask the child to keep that position while turning their head to one side and then to the other. They should be able to move their head only. Look for elbows to bend or shoulders to turn in the direction of the head. If so, their neck movements are still associated with their shoulders and the reflex is most likely present. Exercises are needed.

Test 2: You can also have them get down on their hands and knees like a “kitty” with their head straight out and face toward the floor. Ask them to look to one side then to the other side, keeping their neck and arms straight. When their head is turned to the side, look for elbows to bend or the body to shift from one side to the other. If so neck and shoulder movement is still connected. The reflex is most likely present.

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Exercises