Primitive reflexes are the automatic, involuntary movements that are present at birth and gradually disappear as the nervous system matures.
Retained primitive reflexes may indicate that certain areas of the brain and their neural connections have not fully matured. Each primitive reflex is connected to different areas of the brain and plays a specific role in early development. These reflexes need to be integrated in order for us to move through the Reptilian Brain, to the Mammalian Brain, and ultimately to the Human Brain.
The Brainstem is the Reptilian Brain, it controls basic survival needs such as breathing, bodily functions, fight, flight, or freeze. Many of the children that I work with are stuck in this stage. Primitive Reflexes start in the Brainstem, and Integrating these reflexes allows us to move upwards to the Mammalian Brain, and the Human Brain.
The Mammalian Brain controls emotions, memories, and social behavior like fear and connection.
The Human Brain is the most developed, and it controls cognitive functions like abstract thought, language, planning, self-awareness, and more.
Here is a brief overview of Primitive Reflexes that may be Retained and the corresponding effects that you may see in your child
Moro Reflex
easily distracted
hypersensitive to light, sound, touch
difficulty adapting to new situations
Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR)
reading difficulties
Dyslexic traits
difficulty eye tracking when reading
hand-eye coordination that affects writing and fine motor skills
Symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR)
copying from a chalkboard
difficulty with visual focus from near to far or vice versa
difficulty with balance and coordination
Tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR)
poor muscle tone, too stiff or too floppy
difficulty maintaining a proper head position when reading or writing
difficulty with spatial awareness
Palmar grasp reflex
poor pencil grip, handwriting, and fine muscle control
tongue stick out when using hands
involuntary grasping of objects in hands, and difficulty letting go
Plantar grasp reflex
difficulty with balance and walking
struggle to wear shoes or transition to new footwear
toes curl involuntarily when sole of foot is touched
Spinal Galant reflex
fidgeting or squirming when sitting of periods of time
bed-wetting or issues with bladder control
difficulty with balance and coordination
Rooting reflex
oral motor development
difficulty with speech and language
Sucking reflex
oral motor development or feeding issues
involuntarily sucking on an object when placed in mouth
challenges with speech and language
When any of these reflexes are retained past their usual time frame in early infancy, you may see one or more areas of development affected.
There are many wonderful Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists who can properly assess and offer exercises to help Integrate the Retained Reflex.
You can also find some great books that will walk you through daily exercises. A book that I like to recommend to clients is “Level Up How to Be a Neuro Ninja” by Sue Cook. It explains the various reflexes and shows the exercises in a bright, colorful format!
A supportive Homeopathic addition of Primitive Reflexes Brain Support Combo (CM) is available at PS11 Collective Homeopathic Pharmacy in the US (through your Homeopath only).
This is a combo homeopathic remedy that I recently developed after seeing improvements in my clients, where I had them give it daily to their child. Previously, I had them order the remedies separately and make their own combo, and the feedback has been very positive. So, now there is an all-in-one combo!
The Primitive Reflexes Brain Support Combo (CM) 4C contains supportive Sarcodes in low potency of:
Brainstem, Cerebellum, Basal ganglia, Prefrontal Lobe, Parietal lobe, Occipital lobe
Each of these areas in the brain has a direct influence not only on supporting to Integrate Primitive Reflexes, but in other areas such as sensory input with motor output, visual processing, movement, balance, and muscle tone, fine motor skills, eye tracking, organizing thoughts into words, speech production and more.
This combo supports ongoing efforts, therapies, Homeopathic care, and other modalities already in use.