Primitive Reflexes & Child Development
If you’re a parent or caregiver of a child with developmental delays or challenges like ADHD or ASD, you may have heard of primitive reflexes. It’s a term that’s been getting a lot more attention in recent years, and for good reason. Retained reflexes are very common in children with a variety of different developmental delays including ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, anxiety and more. So today, I want to talk about what primitive reflexes are, why they matter, and how they might be linked to developmental issues like ADHD.
What Are Primitive Reflexes?
Let’s start with the basics. Primitive reflexes are automatic movements that babies are born with. They’re controlled by the brain stem, which is the most basic part of the brain. Think of it as the “lizard brain”—its job is to ensure survival. Babies rely on these reflexes to help with the birth process and to keep them alive after birth. Humans are born pretty early compared to other mammals. For example, a baby horse can stand and walk within hours of birth, but human babies can’t control their bodies like that. That’s where these reflexes come in.
For the first few months, babies rely almost entirely on these reflexes for movement, as they don’t have control over their muscles yet. But these reflexes aren’t just for movement—they’re also essential for the brain and body to develop properly. Take vision as an example. Babies are born with very immature vision, seeing only a few inches in front of them. But certain reflexes help guide their eyes, which is the first step in developing more advanced visual skills. The same is true for lots of other developmental milestones.
Infant Moro (startle) Reflex Infant Palmer (grasp) Reflex
Why Do Primitive Reflexes Matter?
Primitive reflexes play a huge role in a baby’s early brain and body development. They help build the foundation for skills that will come later—things like coordination, balance, and even social skills. The cool thing about these reflexes is that they follow a pretty predictable timeline. Reflexes start to disappear during the first year of life, and this orderly progression helps guide a child’s development.
When these reflexes stick around longer than they should it is a clinically significant indicator that there has been a disruption in development. It tells us that their nervous system has not developed the way it should. It also give us a good place to start helping a child mature.
Why Should We Worry About Retained Reflexes?
So why do we care if primitive reflexes stick around? Well, there are a couple of reasons. First, these reflexes are rooted deep in the brain stem, meaning they’re low-level responses that happen before the more advanced areas of the brain have a chance to kick in. This can disrupt a child’s day-to-day functioning because the brain isn’t responding in the most efficient way.
The bigger concern is that the brain develops in a very orderly manner. When these reflexes don’t integrate properly, it can create gaps in a child’s overall development. This can affect everything from memory to impulse control to how well a child interacts socially. For example, the Moro reflex (the startle reflex) is crucial for how a baby reacts to stress. But as children grow, their stress response should mature into a more adaptable one. If it doesn’t, it can have a big impact on how the emotional and attention circuits in the brain develop and function.
How Do Primitive Reflexes Relate to ADHD and ASD?
So lets look at how all of this connects to ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These diagnoses are based on symptoms, but they don’t explain why these symptoms are happening or what’s causing them. This is where primitive reflexes can come in.
Research has shown that kids with ADHD or ASD are significantly more likely to have retained primitive reflexes. In fact, studies from the Institute of Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP) show a strong correlation between these reflexes and developmental challenges. While not every child with ADHD or ASD will have retained reflexes, it’s something worth checking out.
Treating Primitive Reflexes
The good news is that there are exercises and therapies specifically designed to help integrate these reflexes. For some kids, this can be a game-changer. Once the reflexes start to integrate, the brain and body begin to catch up, and it’s like watching a domino effect of positive changes. For other kids, it’s a slower process that requires support in various areas, including nutrition, family therapy and more.
It’s also important to recognize that environmental stress can make it harder for children to integrate their reflexes. For example, if a child’s home life is unstable or if a parent is struggling with uncontrolled anxiety, it can be tough for the child to make progress. In these cases, it’s crucial to address the stress and provide a safe, supportive environment before working on reflex integration.
Taking a Holistic Approach
Primitive reflexes are just one piece of the puzzle. If you’re concerned about a child’s development, a more holistic approach can help provide a clearer picture of what’s going on. For example, when children are diagnosed with ADHD or ASD, a more thorough screening should also include checks for things like vestibular function, balance, coordination, and even metabolic factors (like how well they methylate and process toxins). Sleep patterns, breathing, and family dynamics also play a huge role in overall development and health.
Unfortunately, these comprehensive screenings aren’t usually part of ADHD or ASD diagnoses, and many of the tests aren’t covered by insurance. But if we had access to a broader set of evaluations, it could lead to better-targeted interventions that truly address the child’s needs.
Primitive reflexes are a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of early childhood development. By understanding their role and the impact they can have on a child’s brain and body development, we can better support children with developmental delays or conditions like ADHD and ASD.
If you’re concerned about retained reflexes in your child, I highly recommend seeking a professional evaluation. We offer free screenings and consultations to help identify if primitive reflexes are at play. If you’d like more information, feel free to visit www.earlyrootstherapy.com
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