Retained Primitive Reflexes Holding My Child Back in Learning and Motor Development

This article provides information about retained Primitive Reflexes and how parents, teachers and therapists can help their child with these issues. Integrated Learning Strategies (ILS) is a learning and academic center. As a reminder, ILS is not a health care provider and none of our materials or services provide a diagnosis or treatment of a specific condition or learning challenge you may see in your child or student. If you seek a diagnosis or treatment for your child or student, please contact a trained professional who can provide an evaluation of the child.

Many years ago I realized there were many programs that were helpful and made a difference in the lives of hundreds of children, but there were still gaps in their learning development. So many of them struggled with attention and focus, sensory issues, coping notes from the chalkboard, poor posture, handwriting and reading delays, and often experienced fallbacks in developmental milestones. When I use the term “retained Primitive Reflexes,” I might as well be speaking a foreign language for many of you. Most parents, teachers and even some therapists have never heard the term retained Primitive Reflexes or understand how they can impact a child’s learning and motor development. Don’t worry, you are not alone!

It was not until I heard about retained reflexes in a continuing education training that I decided to explore and develop a program that specifically targeted primitive reflexes. When testing kids for retained Primitive Reflexes, it appeared that 65 to 70 percent of students had one or more retained reflexes holding them back from reaching their learning potential. It was suddenly an “aha” moment that this was one of the missing pieces for many kids.

What are retained Primitive Reflexes?

So what is a retained primitive reflex and how can it affect my child’s learning development?

We are all either born with primitive reflexes or have them when we were in our mother’s womb, but as we grow older, primitive reflexes should integrate or “go to sleep” to make way for other developmental milestones like crawling, walking, grasping and talking.

When primitive reflexes do not integrate, they become retained. Retention typically causes a whole slew of problems for your child or student that can have huge impacts on their learning and motor development. You may not even know it’s happening to your child, but you will definitely see the signs, especially if they are struggling in the classroom or if they have trouble with behavior and emotions.

For additional references and research studies on retained reflexes, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

What are some of the signs?

There are several red flags that can alert you to a possible retained primitive reflex. It’s sometimes hard to know if your child has one and if it’s related to their learning development; however, there are a few key signs to watch out for if you think your child may have one or multiple retained reflexes.

If your child does have a retained reflex, you may notice one or more of the following signs:

• Sensitive to touch, sound, smell and taste
• Balance issues, is clumsy, struggles with sports, runs into furniture
• Freezes or is in constant fight or flight mode
• Poor impulse control, easily distracted, severe mood swings
• Can’t cross the midline, trouble with hand-eye coordination, struggles with fine motor
• Has difficulty tracking when reading and writing
• Attention issues, wraps legs around chair, wets the bed after age 5
• W-sitting and poor muscle control
• Toe walking

The Sensory Connection

Many kids with learning challenges often have a retained Primitive Reflex, but kids that have sensory issues no matter their diagnosis are some of the most likely to have one or more reflexes retained. Each of the senses are often affected by retained Primitive Reflexes and can contribute to the child’s sensitivities to light and sound, visual information for tracking and reading, and auditory responses for comprehension and following directions.

Every retained Primitive Reflex touches a different message your child receives through their senses. The following example shows which retained Primitive Reflexes could contribute to each area of your child’s sensory issues:

Retained Primitive Reflexes Roadmap

If you are new to retained Primitive Reflexes, or if you want a list of all the signs and symptoms that may come with one or more retained Primitive Reflexes, complete the form below. The Retained Primitive Reflexes Roadmap will give you the signs and symptoms you may find if you suspect your child has one or more retained Primitive Reflexes. It will also get you on a path toward integration, which requires a series of tests and exercises. When you complete the form, check your email inbox for the download file, including your junk and spam folder. If you have any trouble with the file or don’t see the download link come through to your email inbox, please email us at info@ilslearning.com. 

References

Konicarova, J. & Bob, P. Act Nerv Super (2012) Retained Primitive Reflexes and ADHD in Children. 54: 135. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03379591

Konicarova, J. & Bob, P. Act Nerv Super (2013) Principle of Dissolution and Primitive Reflexes in ADHD. 55: 74. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03379598

Konicarova, J & Bob, P.  (2013) Asymmetric tonic neck reflex and symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in children, International Journal of Neuroscience, 123:11, 766-769, DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2013.801471

Gieysztor, E. Z., Choińska, A. M., & Paprocka-Borowicz, M. (2018). Persistence of primitive reflexes and associated motor problems in healthy preschool children. Archives of Medical Science : AMS, 14(1), 167–173. http://doi.org/10.5114/aoms.2016.60503

Gieysztor, E., Sadowska, L., Choinska, A., & Paprocka-Borowicz, M. (2018). Trunk rotation due to persistence of primitive reflexes in early school-age children. Adv Clin Exp Med.,27(3), 363-366. doi:doi: 10.17219/acem/67458

Goddard Blythe, S. (2006). The Well Balanced Child: Movement and Early Learning(2nd ed., Early Years). Hawthorn Press.

Brandes, B. (2016). SYMPHONY OF REFLEXES: Interventions for human development, autism, adhd, and other neurological. S.l.: CREATESPACE.

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Integrated Learning Strategies is a Utah-based center dedicated to helping mainstream children and children with learning challenges achieve academic success. Our services provide kids with non-traditional tutoring programs within the Davis County, Kaysville, Layton, Syracuse, Farmington, and Centerville areas. Areas to find Integrated Learning Strategies include: Reading tutors in Kaysville, Math tutors in Kaysville, Common Core Tutors in Kaysville, Tutors in Utah, Utah Tutoring Programs