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By Jessica Hill, COTA/L, CPRCS | Reviewed by Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC, CPRCS | Updated on June 22nd, 2023
You may have heard the term “primitive reflexes” thrown around before but do you know and understand what they are and why they’re important? If not, that’s ok! Many people have no idea what primitive reflexes are, much less why they are so important to childhood development.
In this article, we'll cover the most common primitive reflexes, as well as address retained primitive reflexes.
If you are familiar with primitive reflexes but ready to learn more, then you’re in the right place! As Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists, we're excited to help you understand primitive reflexes, as well as learn how to integrate retained primitive reflexes.
Prefer to listen to your content? Check out our podcast episodes where we cover these primitive reflexes in depth!
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At birth, primitive reflexes are present to assist in survival - most develop in utero. These involuntary movement patterns are designed to keep the newborn alive and help with development throughout infancy. They are essentially the foundation for higher-level learning and development. The kicker here is that these primitive reflexes do not stay forever; they should integrate - go away - typically around 12 months of age, some closer to two or three years old.
When a primitive reflex integrates, it makes way for new, more mature movement patterns and higher-level learning to develop.
To be more scientific, when a new movement pattern is developed, it creates new neural pathways in the brain, thus prompting higher-level skill development. For example, an infant must first develop head and neck control before learning to sit upright independently. If the infant does not develop head and neck control, he/she will be unable to sit upright without assistance.
If a reflex does not integrate, development may be hindered, and the infant may not gain higher-level skills.
If a primitive reflex is retained - that is, still present - after 12 months of age, challenges may arise. Each primitive reflex comes with its own set of movements and leads to new and different developmental milestones. If a specific reflex is retained, it may affect a specific area of development.
Additionally, many reflexes are directly related to another. Therefore, if one reflex is retained, we can assume that others will be retained.
A study from 2016 found that “Retained primitive reflexes can disturb natural development and involve difficulties in social, educational, and psychomotor development.”
Typical childhood activities such as: playing with peers, running and jumping, learning to read and write, self-care tasks, and many more can be impacted by retained primitive reflexes.
As Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists, we are trained to test for, assess, and then integrate retained primitive reflexes with clients. We cover more below about assessing retained primitive reflexes, as well as next steps.
There aren't any massive studies conducted like there are for Autism or ADHD, there are number of smaller studies we can look at to see how many children may have retained primitive reflexes.
While these numbers may seem high, we believe they are accurate based on our work in clinic. Once you start testing for retained primitive reflexes, you realize they are way more prevalent than you'd ever expect.
Also, it's important to note that retained primitive reflexes work more on a spectrum. You can have partially integrated primitive reflexes. When testing for retained primitive reflexes, we use a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the most integrated, but still present and 4 being the most retained.
This one study looked at 21 children in the same pre-school classroom and found that only one child had no signs of retained primitive reflexes. 29% of the students scored a 1 or 2 on the scale, while 50% of the students scored a 3 or 4.
Here are the most prevalent retained primitive reflexes they found:
Another study of similar size involving 35 healthy students of ages 4 to 6 found that 89% of students had at least one retained primitive reflex.
This study was slightly larger, involving 53 students of ages 5 to 7 "found that 100% of the participants had at least one active reflex, with the most common retained reflexes being STNR, ATNR R, and ATNR L."
What was also interesting about this study was they broke down some of the results by gender, and "found statistically significant and moderately strong correlations between ATNR retention and poorer performance in multiple areas of scholastic performance among males. Mixed and inconsistent results were found among females and by grade."
There is not an explanation for why there would be gender differences in retained primitive reflexes, and obviously with only one study of 53 participants, we'd need a lot more research to draw strong conclusions for this.
Not a lot of definitive research has been done to determine exactly why primitive reflexes may be retained. However, there have been some potential factors identified:
Again, this is not an exhaustive list, but simply some potential factors that have been identified in correlation with retained primitive reflexes. These factors, however, are not a guarantee that a child’s primitive reflexes will be retained.
Oftentimes when a parent begins learning about primitive reflexes, they may feel guilty - like they somehow caused their child’s reflexes to stick around longer than necessary, thus causing challenges as their child ages.
Please do not feel guilty! Retained primitive reflexes are no one’s fault! Yes, there are things we can do during our child’s early years to help promote primitive reflex integration, but there is no “one size fits all,” there is no “cure,” and there is no blame to be had.
Use this quick symptom checker to identify if your child may have retained primitive reflexes.
Please note, this is not a symptom checker to diagnose. This is simply to assess whether your child may or may not have one or more retained primitive reflexes.
If you checked off half or more of the above items, your child may have one or more retained primitive reflexes.
When Retained Primitive Reflexes are assessed, then worked on to integrate, symptoms associated with them may go away all together!
One study from 2020 focused on integrating retained primitive reflexes in 2,175 students with ADHD over a 12 week period. Along with a decrease in the retained primitive reflexes, the students saw:
As you can see, integrating retained primitive reflexes can have major school and life improvements for children!
Join Harkla's in-house Occupational Therapy Assistants for a free hour-long webinar that covers will get you quickly up to speed on the basics of primitive reflexes.
Click the button below learn more!
So what do you do if you suspect that your child may have retained primitive reflexes?
First, remember that there is NOTHING wrong with your child! This may just be something that they struggle with and your job is to help them as they grow.
Next, keep reading! We are about to dive into the main six primitive reflexes that are addressed in occupational therapy and give you some simple ideas that you can use to help your child.
Then, if you are ready to help your child even further, seek out a trained Occupational Therapist in your area who can test your child’s primitive reflexes and guide you with primitive reflexes integration!
Occupational Therapists (OT), and other professionals such as Physical Therapists and pediatric chiropractors, are often the go-to when learning about and integrating primitive reflexes. Typically, this is due to the broad range of areas that OTs address.
Specifically, when working with children, OTs address self-care tasks, social skills, motor development, sensory integration, and more. All of these areas can be affected by retained primitive reflexes.
The six primitive reflexes that are most commonly addressed in Occupational Therapy are:
The Moro Reflex is present at birth - it is an involuntary movement in response to sudden stimuli. A report from 2020 reported that the Moro Reflex can be seen as early as 25 weeks postconceptional age and usually is present by 30 weeks postconceptional age. You’ve heard of the startle reflex, right? That’s the Moro Reflex!
The Moro Reflex should be integrated - not present - by six months after birth, at the latest.
Some potential symptoms of a retained Moro Reflex in infants and older children are:
Want To Dive Deeper On The Moro Reflex?
We have a deep dive article and podcast on the Moro Reflex, which you can see by clicking the button below!
The TLR is closely linked to the Moro Reflex and is seen with movement of the head forwards or backwards - providing a method of response to gravity (an infant experiences gravity for the first time after birth, so this reflex is a direct response to this newfound challenge). The TLR develops in utero and has a direct influence on the development of muscle tone throughout the body.
The TLR should be integrated - not present - by as late as 3 years old. However, it can be integrated as early as six months (note, this is the approximate age when the Moro Reflex should be integrated - quite the connection!).
Some potential symptoms of a retained TLR in toddlers and older children are:
Want To Dive Deeper On The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex?
We have a deep dive article and podcast on the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, which you can see by clicking the button below!
The Palmar Grasp Reflex is an involuntary response to stimuli on the palm of the hand. This assists a newborn with grasping objects before they actually do so on purpose. A report from 2020 also found that this reflex can help create interaction and bond between the infant and the adult. The Palmar Grasp Reflex develops roughly between 11-16 weeks in utero.
The Palmar Grasp Reflex should be integrated - not present - by no later than six months of age - the age when an infant begins to intentionally grasp objects.
Some potential symptoms of a retained Palmar Grasp Reflex in infants and older children are:
Want To Dive Deeper On The Palmer Grasp Reflex?
We have a deep dive article and podcast on the Palmer Grasp Reflex, which you can see by clicking the button below!
The ATNR has been associated with assisting during the birthing process as well as it also facilitates the kicks felt in utero. Movement of the head to one side causes movement of the arms and legs and therefore helps to build muscle tone, skills on each side of the body, and hand-eye coordination. The ATNR develops at around 18 weeks in utero.
The ATNR should be integrated - not present - by no later than nine months of age.
Some potential symptoms of a retained ATNR in toddlers and children are:
Want To Dive Deeper On The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex?
We have a deep dive article and podcast on the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex, which you can see by clicking the button below!
The STNR is directly related to the TLR - because the STNR assists the infant with moving from prone (laying on belly) into quad (on all 4s - pre crawling position), it additionally assists with integrating the TLR. According to a report from 2020, the STNR develops between 6-9 months after birth.
The STNR should be integrated - not present - by 9-11 months of age (a very short life span compared to some of the other Primitive Reflexes).
Some potential symptoms of a retained STNR in toddlers and children are:
Want To Dive Deeper On The Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex?
We have a deep dive article and podcast on the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex, which you can see by clicking the button below!
The Spinal Galant Reflex is associated with assisting during a vaginal birth, along with the ATNR, according to one research study. In infants, stimuli provided to the lower back will produce movement of the spine and hip away from the stimuli. Therefore during the birthing process, contractions stimulate this reflex to help the baby move through the birth canal. The Spinal Galant Reflex develops around 20 weeks in utero.
The Spinal Galant Reflex should be integrated - not present - by around six months of age.
Some potential symptoms with a retained Spinal Galant Reflex in infants and children are:
Want To Dive Deeper On The Spinal Galant Reflex?
We have a deep dive article and podcast on the Spinal Galant Reflex, which you can see by clicking the button below!
Join Harkla's in-house Occupational Therapy Assistants for a free hour-long webinar that covers will get you quickly up to speed on the basics of primitive reflexes.
Click the button below learn more!
Now that you know a little more about the 6 Primitive Reflexes that are typically addressed in Occupational Therapy, let’s dive into a few ideas that you can use right away!
Multi-Sensory activities can help integrate retained primitive reflexes. We highly recommend working directly with an Occupational Therapist, but we do run through some multi-sensory activities in this podcast episode.
If you want even more ideas, we have a 30 Day Multi-Sensory Activity Course. You get a video of a multi-sensory activity each day to try out.
We also have activities directly for Retained Primitive Reflexes in our Retained Primitive Reflexes Digital Course.
We are all born with primitive reflexes and they should, ideally, naturally integrate in order to promote higher level learning and motor development. Sometimes, they don’t. And this can potentially cause problems for children.
If you suspect that your child may have retained primitive reflexes, use the ideas provided here. Additionally, talk with your pediatrician and seek out an Occupational Therapist who is trained in primitive reflex integration. Advocate for your child’s development! It may not be easy, but it will be worth it.
Be sure to check out our Primitive Reflex Integration Training on Harkla!
Rachel Harrington & Jessica Hill
COTA / L , AC, CPRCS | COTA/L, CPRCS
Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC and Jessica Hill, COTA/L both Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA). They are also both Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialist. They have been working with children for over 7 years in outpatient settings.
Rachel and Jessica specialize in creating easy-to-digest, actionable content that families can use to help their child's progress at home.
Rachel and Jessica are the in-house experts, content creators, and podcast hosts at Harkla! To learn more about Rachel and Jessica, visit the Harkla About Us Page. Make sure to listen to their weekly podcast, All Things Sensory by Harkla for actionable, fun advice on child development.
