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Primitive reflexes play a crucial role in early development, but when they don’t integrate properly, they can create challenges in the classroom—impacting focus, learning, and behavior. In this episode, we’re breaking down what primitive reflexes are, why they matter, and how retained reflexes can affect children academically, socially, and emotionally.
We’ll explore:
The role of primitive reflexes in infant development
How unintegrated reflexes can affect attention, handwriting, posture, and self-regulation
Signs and symptoms educators and parents should watch for
Practical strategies for teachers and school staff to support children with retained reflexes
Plus, we’ll wrap up with a listener Q&A on sensory diets and meal planning for a child with ARFID and oral sensitivities!
Check out all of the links below!
Sensory Dice and Sensory Sticks
Free Classroom Webinar and Improving Focus and Behavior in the Classroom (Full Digital Course)
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form ->https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3
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Have you ever wondered why some children struggle with focus, posture, or coordination in the classroom, even though they are intelligent and eager to learn? The answer might lie in retained primitive reflexes—automatic movements that should naturally integrate within the first few years of life.
When these reflexes persist beyond infancy, they can interfere with learning, behavior, and motor skills. Understanding retained primitive reflexes is crucial for parents, teachers, and occupational therapists who want to support children in reaching their full potential.
Primitive reflexes are automatic movements controlled by the brainstem that develop in utero and help infants with survival, movement, and early motor development. Ideally, these reflexes should integrate (fade away) as the child’s brain matures and higher-level motor skills develop.
When primitive reflexes do not integrate properly, they can create neurological roadblocks that impact learning, coordination, emotional regulation, and focus.
Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)
Keeps a child in a heightened fight-or-flight response.
Leads to increased anxiety, hyperactivity, and difficulty regulating emotions.
ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)
Interferes with crossing the midline, affecting reading and writing skills.
Causes difficulty tracking words on a page or coordinating hand movements.
STNR (Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)
Makes sitting still challenging; affects posture and focus.
Causes difficulties copying from the board due to head movements triggering body responses.
TLR (Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex)
Affects balance and posture, leading to poor muscle tone.
Can make sitting upright at a desk uncomfortable.
Palmar Reflex
Impacts handwriting and fine motor skills.
Makes holding a pencil difficult due to excess hand tension.
Spinal Galant Reflex
Causes excessive fidgeting and discomfort when seated.
Can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms due to constant movement.
When primitive reflexes remain active, they can cause a variety of academic and behavioral challenges. Here’s how they may show up in the classroom:
Children with a retained ATNR reflex may struggle with eye tracking, making it hard to read across a page or copy from the board.
The Palmar Reflex can affect handwriting, causing a weak grip or excessive pencil pressure.
STNR and TLR reflexes can make sitting upright and focusing for long periods difficult, leading to a slouched posture or head resting on desks.
A retained Moro Reflex may keep a child in a state of hypervigilance, making it hard to concentrate.
Spinal Galant and ATNR affect coordination, making tasks like cutting with scissors, using a keyboard, or playing sports challenging.
Children may struggle to cross the midline, impacting activities like tying shoes or writing across a page.
Children with a retained Moro Reflex may have an exaggerated startle response, leading to heightened anxiety or difficulty adapting to change.
Difficulty regulating emotions can result in meltdowns, avoidance behaviors, or acting out in frustration.
The good news is that primitive reflexes can be integrated at any age with targeted movement exercises and sensory activities.
Regular sensory and movement breaks can help integrate reflexes while improving focus. Try these:
Crawling exercises to help integrate the STNR reflex.
Star jumps for the Moro Reflex.
Rocking and rolling (egg rolls) to calm the nervous system.
Animal walks (bear walk, crab walk, frog jumps) to support core strength.
These exercises can be done daily to help override retained reflexes:
Superman pose: Strengthens the core and integrates the TLR reflex.
Cross-crawl exercises: Helps integrate ATNR and improves coordination.
Cat-cow stretches: Aids in STNR reflex integration.
Finger and hand activities: For Palmar reflex integration.
Therapy balls, wobble stools, or standing desks can help children who struggle with posture.
Allow movement-based learning, such as using hands-on activities for spelling or math practice.
Use fidget tools to help children with Spinal Galant reflex challenges.
Harkla offers sensory-friendly tools designed to support children with primitive reflex integration:
Sensory Sticks & Dice – Fun movement-based activities targeting specific reflexes.
Weighted Blankets & Compression Swings – Help regulate the nervous system for better focus.
Digital Primitive Reflex Course – Provides in-depth training for parents, teachers, and therapists.
Retained primitive reflexes can be a hidden factor behind learning and behavioral challenges in the classroom. By recognizing the signs and implementing simple movement-based strategies, we can help children build confidence, improve focus, and succeed in learning.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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