Retained Primitive Reflexes: Indicators of Developmental Immaturity

By Brain Balance

Brain development is a complex chain of events that begins in utero with the early formation of the brainstem and spinal cord, continuing well into adult life. The development of the brainstem is critical, as it houses a specialized set of reflexes that are critical to early development.?

The specialized, or primitive reflexes, contribute to early development in a variety of ways. The rooting reflex supports an infant’s ability to latch, suck, and swallow for eating. The grasp reflex allows the infant's hand to feel touch, and grasp a finger which supports development of the hand muscles, and bonding. Other reflexes help to develop sensory processing, muscle development, and coordinated movements.??

These reflexes contribute to development by laying the groundwork for how the body responds to sensory input and movement, supporting early development of sensory processing, muscle development, and control of movements. Part of what makes these reflexes unique, is unlike other reflexes that should be present throughout life, the primitive reflexes should be present for a short duration of time, then as development matures, the body should gain the ability to integrate the reflex. When the reflex is integrated, the body now has volitional control, rather than a reflexive response. An integrated reflex allows a child to control their body movements and coordination.?

Each primitive reflex has an optimal window of time for when the reflex should be present, and when the brain should mature to the point of turning off, or integrating the reflex. If this integration does not happen, or happens months or years later there can be a cascade of negative effects that can interfere with optimal development, and the effects can linger even into adulthood.??

Understanding the impact of retained primitive reflexes is crucial for parents and educators alike. Brain Balance programs offer targeted solutions to integrate retained reflexes, helping kids, teens, and adults optimize brain and body development and function.? Let’s explore what retained primitive reflexes are, their signs, and how programs like Brain Balance can make a difference. Addressing these retained reflexes can unlock a person's full potential.

What Are Primitive Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements that babies are born with. These reflexes help newborns survive and grow in their first months of life. They are essential for development and provide a strong foundation for future learning and behavior.

Primitive reflexes play a crucial role in a baby's survival and early development. These reflexes help newborns respond to the world around them, even before they can think about their actions.?

These reflexes start in the womb and continue to be important after a baby is born. They help babies develop motor skills such as crawling, standing, and walking. Primitive reflexes also contribute to brain development by creating connections in the brain that will be used later on for more complex tasks.

Examples of Primitive Reflexes

There are several primitive reflexes that should be present in all infants:

• Moro Reflex: Often called the "startle reflex," the Moro reflex occurs when a baby feels like they are falling. They will extend their arms, legs, and fingers, then pull them back in. This reflex helps babies cling to their caregivers for safety.
• Rooting Reflex: When you stroke a baby's cheek, they will turn their head toward the touch and start to make sucking motions. This reflex helps the baby find their mother's breast or a bottle to feed.
• Palmar Reflex: If you place your finger in a baby's palm, they will grasp it tightly. This grabbing reflex helps babies learn to hold and manipulate objects as they grow.
• Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR): When a baby turns their head to one side, the arm on that side will straighten, while the other arm bends. This reflex helps with muscle development and coordination including hand-eye coordination and coordinated body movements.
• Spinal Galant Reflex: Stroking one side of the baby’s lower back will cause them to curve their body toward that side. This reflex assists with movements involved in the birthing process as well as more complex movements such as crawling and walking.
• Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR): When a baby’s head is tilted back, their arms and legs will straighten. If the head tilts forward, the limbs curl inwards. This reflex helps with posture and balance.
• Landau Reflex: When a baby is held in a horizontal position face down, they will lift their head and arch their back. This reflex helps build strength in the back and neck muscles and coordinates synchronized movements between the upper and lower body such as a jumping jack.
• Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR): When a baby's head is bent forward, their arms bend and their legs extend. When the head is bent back, the opposite happens. This reflex helps with the transition from lying to sitting.

Understanding these reflexes helps parents and caregivers support a baby's growth and development. By knowing what to look for, they can ensure their child is on track with their developmental milestones.

What Causes a Retained Primitive Reflex?

Primitive reflexes are essential for a baby's survival in the first few months, acting as automatic responses that protect and aid in early development. These reflexes should integrate, or fade away as the child grows older, and the brain develops increased control and coordination. If they persist beyond the expected age, it can signal developmental concerns, potentially affecting sensory processing, motor skills, cognitive abilities including attention, and learning, as well as behavior. Early detection and intervention are crucial to address these issues and optimize brain health and development for all ages, yet it is important to note primitive reflexes can be integrated to optimize development at any age.?

While much is known about the negative impact of retained primitive reflexes, research is still uncovering reasons for why some reflexes are retained longer than others. There are times when the reason for a retained reflex is evident through a child’s history, and times when it is harder to pinpoint the reason for the developmental delay.?

The integration of primitive reflexes require the combination of multi-sensory stimulation, physical activity, and the strengthening of higher-level brain functions. Infants or young children that have reduced exposure to physical activity and multi-sensory input have a higher likelihood to experience retained primitive reflexes. This can include infants that have experienced less activity due to illness or environment, or individuals who experienced neglect in early infancy.

Research is also indicating that events that are perceived as stressful to the brain and body can interfere with the typical pattern of integration. Perceived stress can come from environmental toxins, internal systemic inflammation due to health, food reactions, virus, or illness, as well as insecurity regarding care, nutrition, and safety.?

The following are a few known examples that can interfere with the healthy integration of primitive reflexes. Keep in mind that reflexes can still be retained, even in the absence of the examples listed below.?

Birth Process Impact

The birth process plays a significant role in the development of a child. Traumatic births and C-sections can directly impact the presence of primitive reflexes.

Traumatic Births: Difficult deliveries can be tough on newborns. For example, long labor, the use of forceps or vacuum, and other complications can affect the baby's nervous system. This stress can prevent the natural integration of reflexes.

C-sections: C-sections are sometimes necessary for the safety of the mother and baby. However, they can bypass some of the physical processes involved in a natural birth. The squeezing and pushing during a vaginal birth help activate the baby's nervous system and reflexes. A C-section avoids this, and these reflexes may not develop or integrate properly.

Other Contributing Factors

Beyond birth, several other factors can contribute to retained primitive reflexes. Let’s look at some of these common causes:

• Falls: Babies and toddlers are prone to falls. Head injuries from these falls can impact the nervous system, leading to retained reflexes.
• Chronic Ear Infections: Frequent ear infections can affect balance and coordination, delaying the integration of reflexes.
• Head Trauma: Accidents that result in head injuries can also interfere with the natural development of reflexes. Even mild trauma can have lasting effects.
• Lack of Tummy Time: Tummy time is crucial for developing muscle strength and motor skills. Without enough tummy time, babies may not develop the necessary neck and upper body strength needed to progress past primitive reflexes.

Understanding these causes can help parents and caregivers take proactive steps to support the healthy development of their children. Monitoring these factors early can lead to better outcomes in the child's growth and development journey.

Effects of Retained Primitive Reflexes on Development

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements that fade as a baby grows. When these reflexes do not disappear, it can affect a child's development in many ways. Understanding these effects can help parents and educators provide better support.

Behavioral and Learning Challenges

Retained primitive reflexes can lead to a mix of behavioral and learning issues. Here are some of the specific challenges that might arise:

Motor Skills

Children with retained reflexes often have trouble with motor skills. This can include both fine and gross motor skills:

• Fine Motor Skills: They may find activities like writing, buttoning a shirt, or tying shoelaces difficult.
• Gross Motor Skills: Running, jumping, or even riding a bike can be more challenging. These children might appear clumsy or uncoordinated.

Think about trying to write with a wobbly pen. That’s what it can feel like for a child with retained reflexes when they try to move their body.

Attention

Attention issues are another common challenge. Children may struggle to focus on tasks, leading to difficulties in school:

• Easily Distracted: They might have a hard time sitting still during lessons.
• Short Attention Span: Completing tasks can become a battle, as they may jump from one activity to another.

Imagine trying to read a book while someone is constantly tapping you on the shoulder. That’s how it can feel for these children trying to pay attention in class.

Social Interactions

Social skills can also be affected:

• Difficulty Reading Social Cues: They may not pick up on facial expressions or body language.
• Poor Impulse Control: Acting out or saying things without thinking can make it hard to form friendships.
• Emotional Regulation: They might overreact to small problems, making social situations tough.

Consider playing a game where the rules keep changing. That’s how social interactions might seem for these children, making it hard to feel comfortable or fit in.

Understanding these challenges is the first step toward helping children with retained reflexes thrive. By recognizing the signs, parents and educators can better support these children in their development and daily activities.

Why Exercising a Retained Reflex is Not Enough/Why the Brain Balance Multi-Modal Approach is Key

As awareness of the importance and impact of retained primitive reflexes has grown in professional and parenting communities, a common approach has been to simply exercise the retained reflex. While doing something is often better than sitting back and hoping for change, early indicators show that exercise alone is not the most efficient path to integrating a retained reflex.

Retained primitive reflexes impact the development of sensory processing, muscle strength, motor coordination, and improved control. A more efficient approach to integrating a retained primitive reflex is to engage and strengthen all of the systems impacted by the reflex. This strengthens the higher-level brain functions and control that helps to synthesize and react quickly and appropriately to input in the brain.?

Simply put, a complex problem does best with a comprehensive solution.?

The Brain Balance Program: A Solution to Optimize Development

The Brain Balance Program offers a targeted approach to help children with retained primitive reflexes and immature development. Through a multi-modal and integrative approach, the Brain Balance program provides multi-sensory input while maturing the brain and functions to provide more age-appropriate control and abilities. By focusing on building a brain that is stronger, faster, and more efficient, the focus is on creating long-lasting improvements in brain function and development. Here's how the program works:

Personalized Plans and Coaching

One key feature of the Brain Balance Program is the personalized plans it designs for each individual. No two kids are the same, and their needs vary. The program starts with an in-depth assessment to identify specific challenges.

How does this work? Each child undergoes a series of activities to identify any potential gaps in development that could hold someone’s abilities back in life. These activities measure a variety of key domains of brain health and development including:

• Sensory
• Motor
• Behavioral
• Social-emotional
• Coordination
• Complex skills requiring the synchronization of multiple functions
• Cognition

Based on this information, a custom plan is created. This plan aims to identify and improve any developmental gaps.

Performance coaches play a crucial role in this process. They guide the child through specific activities and exercises. These coaches provide:

• Personalized programming and guidance
• Continuous feedback
• Motivation and support

By tailoring the program to each student's specific needs, the Brain Balance Program aims to maximize individual success.

Focus on Brain Connectivity and Development

Another cornerstone of the Brain Balance Program is its aim to improve brain connectivity and development. This approach goes beyond just alleviating symptoms. It focuses on the root causes of the issues—retained primitive reflexes.

Brain plasticity lies at the heart of this method. Research shows that the brain can change and adapt throughout our lives. This adaptability is what the program leverages to bring about lasting change.

How does this happen? The program includes a variety of activities aimed at enhancing connectivity within the brain. These activities help in:

• Strengthening neural pathways
• Improving communication between different parts of the brain
• Enhancing overall brain function

The goal is not just to offer quick fixes but to create a solid foundation for future growth. This makes the Brain Balance Program a comprehensive solution for children struggling with retained primitive reflexes.

A Path Forward in Addressing Retained Primitive Reflexes

As we continue to explore the significance of retained primitive reflexes, it's clear that understanding and addressing these early brain development patterns is crucial for a child's overall growth. These reflexes, while essential in the initial months of life, should naturally integrate as a child develops. When they do not, the resulting impact on development can lead to a variety of challenges, from motor skill difficulties to attention and cognitive challenges, and even behavioral and learning issues. Recognizing these signs early and taking proactive steps can make a substantial difference in a child's developmental trajectory.

By focusing on personalized plans and enhancing brain connectivity, the Brain Balance Program offers a comprehensive approach that goes beyond simply managing symptoms. Instead, it aims to resolve the root causes of developmental gaps associated with retained primitive reflexes. This holistic method ensures that each child receives the tailored support they need to thrive.

The Future of Research and Intervention

Looking ahead, continued research into the mechanisms and impacts of primitive reflexes will be vital. As our understanding deepens, new strategies and interventions can be developed, further enhancing the effectiveness of programs like Brain Balance.?

This ongoing exploration will improve existing methodologies while paving the way for innovative approaches that could revolutionize how we address developmental delays. Integrating advancements in neuroscience and technology into programs can lead to more precise and effective interventions.?

Empowering parents and educators with knowledge about primitive reflexes and their impact is another crucial aspect of this journey. Awareness and education can lead to early detection and intervention, which are key to mitigating long-term developmental issues. And while early intervention is always ideal, it is important to note that the brain can change at any age, not just during the early years.?

By providing resources, training, and support, we can create a more informed and proactive community ready to address these challenges head-on. At Brain Balance, the commitment to helping kids, teens, and adults achieve their full potential remains unwavering.?

Our program's focus on personalized care and brain connectivity sets us apart as a leader in optimizing brain health and development. As new research emerges and our understanding of brain development grows, Brain Balance will continue to adapt and refine its approaches, ensuring that everyone receives the best possible support.

The journey to understanding and addressing retained primitive reflexes and optimizing development is ongoing. It requires collaboration, innovation, and a relentless commitment to improving the lives of children. Development is a multi-layered scenario that demands multi-layered support and services. Brain Balance programs are not just about intervention but about unlocking potential and creating lasting change.?

By continuing to explore this field and embracing discoveries, we can offer hope and tangible improvements to children and their families.