Primitive Reflexes: Their Association with Children's Sensory Problems and Hyperactivity

As parents and educators, we constantly seek to understand the underlying causes of children's behavioral challenges. When a child struggles to focus, can't sit still, or becomes overwhelmed by sensory stimuli, primitive reflexes may offer important insights that are often overlooked.

What Are Primitive Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements originating in the brainstem that should be present at birth. While essential for a newborn's survival and development, these reflexes should naturally integrate (or disappear) as higher brain centers develop during the first year of life. When these reflexes persist longer than expected, they can significantly impact a child's behavior, attention, and sensory processing.

These reflexes begin forming as early as five to seven weeks after conception. They help the baby move through the birth canal, develop sensory systems, provide survival mechanisms, and establish foundations for voluntary motor control.

Key Primitive Reflexes

Moro Reflex (Fear Paralysis Reflex):

• The "startle reflex" triggered by sudden changes in stimuli like loud noises or bright lights
• The infant throws their head back, extends arms and legs, then draws them in
• Typically integrated by 2-4 months of age
• Aids development of fight-or-flight response

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR):

• The "fencing reflex" occurs when the baby's head turns to one side
• Arm and leg extend on the side to which the head is turned, while opposite limbs flex
• Prepares for cross-pattern movement and develops hand-eye coordination
• Usually integrates by six months

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR):

• Controls head position in relation to gravity
• Limbs flex when prone, extend when supine
• Aids development of muscle tone, balance, and spatial orientation
• Generally integrates by 3 years of age

Other Important Reflexes:

• Spinal Galant Reflex: Hip flexes when skin along the spine is stimulated
• Palmar Grasp Reflex: Fingers automatically close when palm is touched
• Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR): Affects coordination between upper and lower body

Under normal development, these reflexes should integrate within the first 6-12 months of life (some taking up to 3 years). However, various factors can interfere with this natural integration process, including:

• Birth trauma
• Environmental toxins
• Significant illness during infancy
• Limited opportunity for developmental movements
• Chronic stress
• Genetic factors

The Connection to Hyperactivity

Many behaviors commonly associated with ADHD or hyperactivity may actually be related to retained primitive reflexes:

Constant Movement: A retained Spinal Galant reflex can make sitting still extremely uncomfortable. Any pressure against the lower back (like from a chair) can trigger the reflex, causing squirming or fidgeting.

Poor Focus and Attention: When the brain constantly processes unintegrated reflexes, less energy remains available for higher cognitive functions like attention and concentration.

Emotional Reactivity: A retained Moro reflex can keep a child in a chronic fight-or-flight state, resulting in emotional outbursts, anxiety, or impulsive behavior.

Disorganization: Unintegrated reflexes can impact executive functioning skills, making organization, planning, and time management difficult.

Sensory Seeking or Avoidance: Children with retained reflexes often develop compensatory behaviors, either seeking or avoiding certain sensory experiences to manage discomfort.

Research has found that a significant percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD show evidence of retained primitive reflexes. While not all hyperactivity stems from retained reflexes, addressing these neurological patterns can often reduce symptoms significantly.

Signs Your Child May Have Retained Primitive Reflexes

Watch for these potential indicators:

• Difficulty sitting still, especially in chairs that touch the lower back
• Extreme sensitivity to sensory input (sounds, lights, textures)
• Poor balance and coordination
• Easily distracted by visual or auditory stimuli
• Trouble with reading, writing, or other academic skills
• Difficulty with sports or physical activities
• Emotional reactivity or frequent meltdowns
• Sleep issues
• Poor posture
• Preference for W-sitting (sitting with knees bent and feet pointing outward)
• Resistance to certain clothing textures or tags
• Difficulty crossing the midline of the body
• Challenges with eye tracking

If you recognize several of these signs in your child, retained primitive reflexes may be contributing to their challenges.

Supporting Children at Home and School

For Parents:

Consult with Specialists: Occupational therapists, neurological development specialists, and some chiropractors can assess for retained reflexes and provide appropriate integration exercises.

Movement Activities: Regular movement breaks incorporating cross-lateral activities (movements that cross the midline of the body) can help integrate reflexes.

Crawling and Creeping: These fundamental movement patterns are crucial for reflex integration. Encourage floor play regardless of age.

Reduce Sensory Overload: Create calm environments when possible, especially during homework or meals.

Consistent Sleep Routines: Quality sleep is essential for neurological development.

Rhythmic Activities: Rocking, swinging, and bouncing in organized patterns can help integrate certain reflexes.

Limit Screen Time: Excessive screen exposure can reinforce irregular movement patterns and overstimulate the visual system.

Nutrition: Anti-inflammatory diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids support neurological development.

For Teachers:

Allow Movement: Incorporate regular movement breaks and consider flexible seating options like yoga balls, wobble stools, or standing desks.

Modify the Environment: Reduce fluorescent lighting, allow noise-reducing headphones, and create quiet spaces when possible.

Brain Gym Activities: Incorporate simple cross-lateral movements before focused work.

Adapt Expectations: Understand that behaviors like fidgeting or difficulty tracking across a page may be reflex-based rather than willful.

Collaborate with Specialists: Work with occupational therapists to implement helpful classroom strategies.

Position in Classroom: Seat children with sensory sensitivities away from high-traffic or noisy areas.

Break Down Instructions: Give directions in smaller chunks for children who struggle with processing.

Recognize Triggers: Learn to identify when a child is becoming overwhelmed and provide appropriate support before behavior escalates.

Reflex Integration Exercises

While a comprehensive reflex integration program should be overseen by a trained professional, here are sample activities that can support reflex development:

For Moro Reflex:

• "Starfish and Ball": Child lies on back with arms and legs extended (starfish), then curls into a ball, repeating slowly
• Deep pressure activities like weighted blankets or gentle bear hugs

For ATNR:

• "Angels in the Snow": Child lies on back and makes snow angel movements while keeping head centered
• Crawling activities with intentional head turning

For TLR:

• Rocking on back and tummy in various positions
• Slow, controlled forward rolls

For Spinal Galant:

• "The Lizard": Child lies on stomach and slowly inches forward using opposite arm and leg movements
• Swimming, especially backstroke

Conclusion

Understanding primitive reflexes can be transformative for both parents and educators. Rather than simply managing behaviors, this knowledge allows us to address potential root causes of children's challenges.

If you suspect retained primitive reflexes may be impacting your child, seek support from professionals trained in neurological development and reflex integration. Occupational therapists, developmental optometrists, and specialized movement educators can provide assessments and targeted intervention plans.

Remember that neurological development continues throughout childhood and into adolescence. With appropriate support, children can integrate these reflexes and often experience significant improvements in sensory processing, attention, coordination, and emotional regulation.

By addressing these foundational neurological patterns, we help children engage more fully in learning, social interactions, and daily activities – not by forcing behavioral control, but by supporting their developing nervous systems to function more effectively.