NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL IMMATURITY

We are all born with certain reflexes.

Primitive reflexes are the first part of the brain to develop. They should be integrated in the first year of life.

Primitive reflexes which don’t integrate successfully can lead to developmental delays.

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Primitive reflexes do not involve higher cortical involvement.  They support survival.  When we touch a hot stove we pull away by reflex.  We don’t need to involve the thinking brain.

Newborns have their own set of reflexes.  These should be inhibited in the first year.  If they still persist beyond normal developmental timelines, the child may exhibit clumsiness, motor difficulties and attention problems.

As a child develops the Central Nervous System matures.  Those primitive (survival) reflexes, the involuntary movements build connections and develop into controlled motor responses.

Many development delays and disorders such as ADHD, sensory processing disorder, autism, and learning disabilities can be improved with correct support to integrate retained primitive reflexes.

If these primitive reflexes are not inhibited at the correct time, they remain active in the body and interfere with development and can contribute to issues such as coordination, balance, sensory perceptions, fine motor skills, sleep, immunity, energy levels, impulse control, frustration, concentration and all levels of social, emotional, and academic learning.