Primitive reflexes are the building blocks of life. They are involuntary movements that develop in the uterus, protect the fetus, aid in the birth process, and aid survival during the first six months to a year of life. They move the baby from automatic motor activity (in which the baby cannot control movements) to controlled and skillful movements such as sitting, rolling over, crawling, and finally walking. These movement patterns are activated during the baby’s interaction with the environment. As the baby adjusts to his new environment after birth, these first movements are critical in laying the foundation for more complex movements, skills, and behaviors. They are crucial in laying the foundation for the development of motor, sensory and cognitive skills, thus impacting the development of vision and learning.
There are five primitive reflexes that most impact visual development (teamwork, focus, eye tracking, and visual processing skills) and learning. These include the Moor, the Tonic Labyrinth, the Spinal Galant, the Asymmetric Tonic Neck, and the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflexes.
Between 6 and 12 months of age, each reflex is ‘integrated’ or incorporated into higher levels of learning in the brain. The term integration describes the effort to coordinate these reflexes in more mature ways that allow the body to function properly as a unified whole. Movement is the key to integrating them into more advanced and sophisticated skills as a baby grows. If the reflex is not integrated into the typical developmental stage, it is considered “retained” or “present.” If primitive reflexes are preserved, problems with body coordination, behavior, attention, and academics can arise.
A major factor that can cause impaired reflexes is a traumatic delivery process. This includes prolonged or premature labor, rupture position, forceps or suction delivery, and cesarean sections. Reflexes that aid in the birthing process and are stimulated by the process of crossing the birth canal are more likely to be “present” in children born by cesarean section.
Social factors can also come into play, such as lack of tummy time or lack of movement during the crawling and crawling stages. A baby who spends little time crawling may miss out on valuable developmental experiences for visual-spatial development. It is important that we first achieve mastery of our environment from the ground, as this stage of development strengthens our muscular system and lays the building blocks for high-level coordination and spatial awareness. If an infant spends a lot of time in a car seat, stroller, crib, restrictive infant seat, or other confined environment, primitive reflexes are more likely to be preserved.
The impact of this withholding can vary by individual. For children, the less control they have over their environment due to this retention, the more likely they are to tend towards emotional instability and outbursts due to their inability to channel their actions in socially acceptable ways. This can lead to impulsivity, hyperactivity, aggression, developmental delays, anxiety, fear, poor academic performance, and poor intellectual development. Adults and adolescents can also experience symptoms due to the retention of primitive reflexes. They can learn to compensate despite the obstacles retention creates, however, compensations require more effort and energy. This can result in frustration, burnout, and low self-esteem, and affect career goals, education, and relationships.
Remedial reflex remediation is the process through which the individual integrates the “present” reflex. Your system is accelerated by reviewing missing developmental pieces through motor activities that build new neurological pathways for efficient skills. By integrating reflexes, the individual no longer needs to compensate and can move on to an easier and more productive life without the barriers caused by these retentions.
