02/05/2026
How cool! I *just* had conversation about retained reflexes with someone TODAY!
Not all behaviors can be attributed to retained reflexes, but my goodness, isn’t science cool!! Look at all we’re discovering about our development as littles and how it can influence the rest of our life!
Comment “CONTROL” for targeted movement activities that support impulse control and self-regulation.
You may be surprised to learn that retained primitive reflexes can disrupt a child’s ability to pause, think, and respond appropriately. When these reflexes remain active past infancy, the brain and body stay in a constant “react first” mode.
Not all impulse control challenges look the same. Different retained reflexes can impact regulation in different ways, which is why it’s important to understand which reflexes may be influencing your child’s impulse control.
When retained primitive reflexes interfere, the brain and body may struggle with:
🫨 Waiting their turn or stopping an action
🫨 Thinking before acting or speaking
🫨 Managing big emotions and frustration
🫨 Sitting still, staying calm, and following rules
🫨 Regulating behavior at school and at home
As regulation improves, impulse control becomes more automatic, freeing the brain to focus on learning, relationships, and problem-solving.
To find out which retained reflexes could be related to your child’s impulse control, and for targeted activities to support regulation at home and school, comment “CONTROL” and we’ll send you the link!
