What Are Primitive Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are involuntary responses to specific stimuli that emerge in utero and during infancy. They help with essential early functions like feeding, grasping, and orienting to sensory input. As the central nervous system develops, these reflexes are typically integrated—allowing for more controlled, voluntary movements and the development of higher-level cognitive and physical skills.

Why Is Reflex Integration Important?

When reflexes are retained beyond infancy, they can impact:

• Motor development: Poor coordination, balance issues, clumsiness, awkward movement patterns

• Postural control: Difficulty sitting upright, low muscle tone, or slouching at a desk

• Fine motor skills: Challenges with handwriting, self-care, or using tools

• Sensory processing: Over- or under-responsiveness to light, sound, touch, or movement

• Emotional regulation: Heightened anxiety, reactivity, or difficulty with transitions

• Learning and attention: Trouble focusing, tracking visually, or following multi-step directions

These effects are often subtle, yet impactful—and they may be misattributed to behavioral concerns or learning disabilities if the underlying reflex patterns go unrecognized.

Examples of Common Retained Reflexes & Their Impacts

Understanding the function of each reflex can offer insight into what your child may be experiencing:

• Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex): Often associated with emotional reactivity, sensory hypersensitivity, poor impulse control, and difficulty with transitions. Children may seem “on edge” or over-alert.

• Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR): Affects hand-eye coordination, midline crossing, and visual tracking—often contributing to difficulties with reading, handwriting, and body coordination.

• Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR): Interferes with posture, visual tracking, and coordination between upper and lower body. Kids may slump at their desks, tire easily, or struggle with physical tasks like swimming or bike riding.

• Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR): Impacts balance, muscle tone, and gravitational security. A child may appear fearful of movement or resist activities like climbing, swinging, or rolling.

• Palmar Grasp Reflex: Can affect hand function and fine motor control. Children may have immature pencil grips, avoid fine motor tasks, or fatigue quickly when writing.

• Spinal Galant Reflex: Often linked to fidgeting, difficulty sitting still, and bedwetting. These kids may seem constantly “on the move” or uncomfortable in seated positions.

Each reflex serves a specific purpose during early development—and in some cases, reflex patterns may re-emerge when typical motor development is disrupted. While this can be the nervous system’s attempt to adapt or self-organize, these reactivated patterns often interfere with daily functioning and limit a child’s ability to fully participate in everyday activities.

Can Reflexes Re-Emerge?

Yes—and it's more common than many people realize.

Even after integration, certain circumstances can cause primitive reflexes to resurface. These may include:

• Neurological stress or trauma: Illness, injury, concussion, or emotional trauma can cause reflexes to reappear as the nervous system attempts to “revert to basics” for protection.

• Significant life changes or stressors: Events like divorce, loss, relocation, or changes in routine may temporarily overwhelm a child’s regulatory capacity.

• Developmental plateaus or leaps: During rapid developmental phases, the brain may briefly re-engage earlier motor patterns before reorganizing at a higher level.

• Lack of sensory or motor experiences: Inactivity, restricted movement (e.g., prolonged screen time, limited floor play), or medical conditions can interrupt typical motor maturation.

• Chronic dysregulation: Kids who experience ongoing difficulty with self-regulation or sensory processing may not have fully integrated foundational patterns in the first place.

If a child seems to have regressed in their physical coordination, attention, or emotional control, it’s worth exploring whether re-emerging reflexes may be part of the picture.

How Occupational Therapy Helps

Some occupational therapists have specialized training in identifying and addressing retained or re-emerging primitive reflexes. At Kidnecting Potential, our team is skilled at recognizing how these early motor patterns may be contributing to a child’s challenges across environments—at home, at school, and in daily routines.

Our approach is individualized, holistic, and play-based. We begin with a thorough assessment, examining movement quality, posture, coordination, and sensory responses. We then develop a customized therapy plan aimed at supporting reflex integration and strengthening the child’s foundation for participation, learning, and emotional growth.

We also equip caregivers with education and tools to support their child’s progress beyond the clinic, because consistency and collaboration are key to meaningful change.

Next Steps

If you suspect that residual reflexes may be impacting your child’s development, reach out to learn more and schedule an assessment. Our team will take the time to understand your child’s unique strengths and challenges and explore whether reflex integration may be a meaningful part of their developmental support.

This is one important step toward helping your child participate more fully, confidently, and comfortably in the world around them.