Retained Primitive Reflexes Can Hinder A Child’s Future Development
Integrated vs. Retained Primitive Reflexes
Primitive Reflexes should have a limited life span; they should
integrate - go away - or mature as a child meets their individual motor milestones.
As your child grows up, these primitive reflexes should be suppressed by the higher functioning parts of the brain. When a primitive reflex integrates, it makes way for new, more mature movement patterns and higher-level learning to develop. However, sometimes this doesn’t happen for a variety of reasons.
When primitive reflexes aren’t naturally integrated, they become
retained reflexes and
significant challenges may arise,
development may be hindered, and the child may
not gain higher-level skills. Retained primitive reflexes can cause symptoms or contribute to autism, dyslexia, speech disorders, sensory disorders, and hyperactivity.