Imagine you are driving your car down the highway and you need to start moving over to exit. You glance over your right shoulder and all of sudden you notice the car also moves to the right. You did not intend to swerve, but in that moment your hands took the car without your conscious thought. This may occur because one of your primitive reflexes has not fully integrated.
But what is a primitive reflex and what do I mean by integrate?
Primitive reflexes emerge in utero and lay the foundation for the nervous system and continue to work in conjunction with it throughout our lives. They are repetitive, automatic movements that are essential for the birth process, the development of head control, muscle tone, sensory integration and development. Without primitive reflexes we would never learn to move our bodies against gravity. Primitive reflexes support early feeding, bonding with our caregivers, our language development and overall behavior. Certain reflexes also play a role in our early stress response and understanding of what is safe in the world.
Primitive reflexes emerge from neurons in the brain stem and naturally become inhibited by higher level cortical control as the brain develops. Integration occurs in a sequential order during the first few years of life and primitive reflexes are replaced by postural, lifelong reflexes and a well-modulated stress response system. Postural reflexes are more mature patterns of response that control balance, coordination and sensory motor development.
But what happens if these reflexes do not develop, are underdeveloped or do not integrate fully?
Different stressors may impact development and have an effect on the possibility of reflexes staying active and limiting the maturation of the nervous system. Sometimes, reflexes that have integrated will re-emerge following a physical or emotional trauma, or from repetitive stress.
An example of some stressors that may impact a child’s development and their reflex integration are:
· Maternal drug use during pregnancy
· Extended periods of bed rest during pregnancy
· Umbilical strangulation at birth
· Caesarean birth
· Vacuum delivery
· Too much time in containers after birth
· Not enough floor time and tummy time
· Stressful family dynamics
Stressors are not always good or bad and may even be necessary for the survival of the mother and infant. However, they do have an impact on primitive reflex development and integration and therefore on brain development.
If primitive reflexes are not integrated, children and even adults may experience difficulty with:
· Posture and balance
· Attention and memory
· Coordination and movement
· Reading and writing
· Spatial skills
· Organization
· Emotional stability
· Impulse control
The good news is that there are movement based activities to help these primitive reflexes emerge, be reinforced and integrate so that mature, lifelong reflexes can take hold. These movements replicate our earliest movement patterns to optimize posture, central nervous system maturity, vestibular function, sensory processing, memory, learning, emotions and behavior. No matter your child’s age, reflex integration can support their neurological development and set them up for a successful life journey. You might even find some movements helpful to support your own journey. Find out more about reflex integration by calling Warm Heart Parenting today.
Hi, I'm a pediatric physical therapy and parent support clinician. I help families with children aged 0-5 years old by providing developmentally appropriate and skilled care. My
goal is to make sure each child has the best possible start in life and that each family feels supported. I work closely with parents to provide individualized care plans tailored to their child's needs, while also helping them gain skills and confidence as parents. I love working with families and young
children and watching them grow and develop!
Resources/References:
Blomberg, Harald with Dempsey, Moira (2011) Movements that Heal (Bookpal, Qld, Australia)
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