Primitive Reflexes are a series of survival reflexes that every baby is born with. They are directed by the brain stem and the newborn has no control over them. These reflexes should be extinguished by 6-12 months of life so that the child can develop voluntary control over its movements. When these reflexes are retained past 12 months, they usually interfere with normal development of movement, behaviour and learning.

Perhaps the best-known reflex is the Moro reflex.

Another well-known reflex is the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), which is developed in the 18th week in utero. It should be extinguished by 6 months of age, so that a child can learn to bring two hands together in the midline, regardless of the position of the head.

When these primitive reflexes are retained, they can interfere with balance, learning, attention, muscle tone, tracking of the eyes, eye hand coordination, mood and behaviour.

Can you test whether Primitive reflexes are integrated or retained?

Primitive Reflexes can be tested at any age to assess whether any of them are still partly or completely retained. Two suitable tests that are easy to do with older children, are the Tansley (left) and Bender-Gestalt test (right).

From: Reflexes, Learning & Behavior by Sally Goddard, Fern Ridge press, ISBN 0- 9615332-8-5

The pictures above show that the ability to copy figures accurately is impaired when (some of) the reflexes are retained. This will obviously affect their ability to learn to write letters and numbers or copy words from the board as well as their ability to remember words.

These pictures also show that primitive reflexes can become more integrated over a 3 (left) or 5 month period (right) using Occupational therapy.

Even though this shows that these primitive reflexes can be changed at a later point in life, I wondered what would happen if we started the process by preparing the brain first.

Can you integrate these retained Primitive reflexes using Integrative Therapy?

The two pictures below show the “Before” (left) and “After” (right) pictures of the Tansley (top) and Bender-Gestalt test (bottom). The “After” picture was taken after 2 sessions in which we did Brain Gym® exercises as well as Integrative therapy.

These pictures show that the Brain Gym® exercises and Integrative therapy had a very quick and positive impact on neuro-development as these results were achieved in only one month!

If you would like to see some writing examples of “Before” and “After” Brain Gym® exercises and Integrative therapy, please click on the link to download the free information booklet: How to improve learning?

Special offer: If you have any queries, please contact me for a free half hour introductory consultation by phone: 61-8-83794755, mobile: 0423763273 or email: akoelman@ozemail.com.au.