Every baby is born with a built-in set of reflexes — automatic movements that help them survive and grow in those first few months. Think of the startle when a loud noise happens, the way a newborn turns toward a cheek stroke looking for a nipple, or how tiny fingers curl tightly around yours. These are primitive reflexes, and they're a normal, expected part of how babies develop.
As a baby's brain matures, these early reflexes are usually meant to fade into the background, replaced by more controlled, voluntary movement. This process is called integration. But for some children, one or more of these reflexes doesn't fully integrate, it stays more "switched on" than it should be, quietly running in the background well past infancy.
Why this can matter later on
When a reflex hasn't fully integrated, it can take up bandwidth that would otherwise go toward more complex skills — showing up in ways that don't obviously look connected to infancy at all. A lingering startle reflex might show up as an oversensitive reaction to sudden noise or movement, or as anxiety in unpredictable environments. A reflex tied to head and eye movement can make it harder to track a line while reading, or to cross the midline of the body — a skill handwriting depends on. Others can affect balance, core stability, or how "settled" a child's nervous system feels in a busy classroom.
Why we look here first
Screening for retained primitive reflexes helps us understand what's really happening beneath a behaviour or a skill gap not just what's visible on the surface. This means the exercises we build together can target the root of a difficulty, rather than simply managing its symptoms. The process includes:
- Observation & Assessment: A comprehensive, play-based assessment, including reflex screening.
- Collaborative Input: We work with you to create a home program that's realistic and achievable for your family.
- Guided Support: Phone App access that guides you step by step through the home program exercises.
