How Retained Primitive Reflexes May Be Holding Your Child Back

At birth, babies have several primitive reflexes that help them survive, such as the rooting reflex, which aids in feeding and the palmar reflex, which allows them to hold onto objects. As children grow and their brains develop, these reflexes are meant to be “turned off” as the brain takes over their functions, allowing for more complex tasks and coordination.
However, some children’s brains do not fully inhibit these primitive reflexes, causing them to remain active longer than they should. This can create chaos in the brain, like two people trying to drive the same car simultaneously—leading to inefficiency and challenges in day-to-day tasks.
Children with retained primitive reflexes often face a range of difficulties, including:

• - ADHD/ADD
  
• - Anxiety and stress
  
• - Inattention and distractibility
  
• - Scoliosis and poor posture
  
• - Motion sickness
  
• - Poor hand-eye coordination
  
• - Gross motor control issues
  
• - Difficulty managing emotions (e.g., temper tantrums)
  
• - Fidgeting or trouble sitting still
  
• - Poor social skills
  

At Brainstorm Rehabilitation, we are knowledgeable about identifying and addressing retained primitive reflexes. Our targeted therapies can help your child’s brain “turn off” these reflexes, promoting better coordination, emotional regulation, and overall development. If you suspect that retained primitive reflexes impact your child’s well-being, contact us. No referral is required to start your child's journey to improved function and success.