14/11/2025
Nervous System Development - Primitive reflexes:
Many people have never even heard of primitive reflexes beyond the quick checks done when their baby was born. But in my experience, these reflexes are still very present in many of the children I assess. Some have only one or two remaining; others may have several. These retained reflexes can influence so much more than people realise — movement, balance, coordination, focus, attention, sitting still, emotional regulation, and even aspects of sensory processing.
Even as a therapist, I knew about primitive reflexes, but I didn’t fully understand how to address them through specific exercises until the past few years. Since then, incorporating reflex integration work has made a huge difference to my practice. I’ve seen incredible changes — not just in physical skills like strength, balance, and coordination, but also in children’s sensory sensitivities, emotional resilience, communication, confidence, and overall ease in their own bodies. They become more adventurous, more relaxed, more open, and often perform better in sport too.
I’m still learning every day, but reflex integration has become a vital part of my intervention. It’s a powerful, often overlooked aspect of child development — and in some cases, it can benefit adults as well.
