Could Retained Reflexes Be Affecting Your Child?
Children develop through a series of important movement stages during infancy. These early movements help build the neurological foundation for learning, behaviour, coordination, and emotional regulation.
Primitive reflexes are automatic responses present at birth that guide this early development. As the brain matures, these reflexes should gradually integrate and allow more controlled, voluntary movements to take over.
When primitive reflexes remain active beyond infancy, children may experience challenges with learning, focus, motor skills, or emotional regulation.
The checklist below highlights common signs that may suggest retained primitive reflexes.
Attention and Focus
Your child may:
- Struggle to stay focused on tasks
- Become easily distracted
- Have difficulty sitting still
- Appear restless or fidgety
- Need frequent reminders to stay on task
Emotional Regulation
Your child may:
- Experience frequent meltdowns
- Become overwhelmed easily
- Show signs of anxiety
- Have difficulty calming down after becoming upset
- React strongly to small frustrations
Learning and Academic Skills
Your child may:
- Struggle with reading or writing
- Have difficulty copying from the board
- Experience poor handwriting
- Tire quickly during schoolwork
- Take longer than peers to complete tasks
Motor Skills and Coordination
Your child may:
- Appear clumsy or uncoordinated
- Have difficulty riding a bike
- Struggle to catch or throw a ball
- Have poor balance
- Avoid sports or physical activities
Sensory Processing
Your child may:
- Be sensitive to noise or touch
- Avoid certain textures or clothing
- Seek constant movement or stimulation
- Become overwhelmed in busy environments
Physical Signs
You may notice:
- Poor posture
- Motion sickness
- Bedwetting beyond the expected age
- Difficulty sitting upright at a desk
- Fatigue during physical activity
What If You Recognize Several Signs?
Many of these challenges can have multiple causes. However, if your child shows several of these signs, it may be helpful to explore whether primitive reflexes are still influencing their development.
A primitive reflex assessment can provide insight into how the nervous system is functioning and whether developmental movement exercises may help support your child’s growth.
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