Primitive Reflexes:

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When we are in utero and are infants, we go through stages of development that help us grow both physically as well as mentally. During these stages we naturally do certain physical movements that help us through each stage. We repeatedly do these movements, building muscle and opening pathways to our higher thinking brain, until we no longer need them. These stages are defined by the automatic reflexes that our bodies exhibit, that become inhibited once they are integrated.

A good example is the stage that includes the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR). At this stage, from in utero to about 4 months, when placed on his tummy, a child will pick his head up, even though his head is about the same length and weight as the rest of his body. Where does he get the strength? He doesn’t have it – it is a reflex that he cannot control. Meanwhile, while he continues to pick his head up, he gains control, builds muscle, and develops neurodevelopmentally. Some of the symptoms of a retained TLR are poor posture, inability to cross eyes, and poor sense of time.

There are six primitive reflexes that I work with, although this is just a subset of all. More information on this subject can be found in the book Reflexes, Learning, and Behavior by Sally Goddard. The primitive reflexes that I work with cover the six groupings of symptoms found below. The names, in order by group, are Moro Reflex, TLR, Spinal Galant, Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) and Palmar Reflex.

It takes just minutes a day to integrate these primitive reflexes at any age, beyond the early childhood stage. The exercises need to be done daily, or at least 5 times a week for about a month in order to see a change. I have seen children suddenly understand math, finally being able to memorize and remember, and for the first time being able to write a paragraph on their own. One 10 year old boy, who had embarrassing bedwetting issues, had his first dry week after working on integrating the Spinal Galant.

These reflexes set up the body and mind to be able to handle and work through the next phases in the Pyramid of Potential: the sensory-motor system, the cognitive development, and finally academics. If you are finding that issues are “stuck” then start here!!

Primitive Reflexes Quiz:

Mark which of the following symptoms are present, then score below:

Group #1 – Starfish – For the Extra Sensitive Person, Physically and Emotionally

Moro Reflex

         Car sickness or poor balance and coordination

         Poor stamina

         Doesn’t maintain eye contact

         Sensitive to light

         Sensitive to sound

         Allergies

         Adverse reaction to drugs

         Hypoglycemia

         Dislike of change

         Anxiety or nervousness

         Mood swings

         Poor math sense

Group #2 – Astronaut – For the Disorganized and Usually Late Person

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

         Poor posture

         Weak muscles

         Poor balance

         Unable to cross eyes easily, or it hurts when crossing

         Spatial problems – bumps into furniture, stands too close

         Poor sequencing – telling stories, counting, organizing

         Poor sense of time, unable to tell time

Group #3 – Snow Angel For ADD, Memory, and Bedwetting

Spinal Galant Reflex

         Fidgeting

         Bedwetting

         Poor concentration or attention

         Poor memory

         Poor organization

         Very sensitive to several senses (visual, hearing, touch, smell, taste)

         Auditory processing difficulties

         Difficulty reading

Group #4 – Lizard – For Writing and Dyslexia

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

         Unable to cross eyes easily, or hurts when crossing

         Eyes jump over words or parts of words, or lines or repeats lines when reading

         Poor balance

         Right-left confusion

         Mixes up “d”s and “b”s or other letters and numbers

         Difficulty skipping or marching

         Poor handwriting

         Poor expression of ideas on paper

Group #5 – Tiger – For Better Coordination and Vision, Especially Jumpy Eyes

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

         Poor posture

         Ape-like walk

         Poor eye-hand coordination

         Messy eater

         Unable to cross eyes easily, or hurts when crossing

         Eyes jump over words or parts of words, or lines or repeats lines when reading

         Slow with copying tasks

         Poor attention skills

Group #6 – Fingers – For better handwriting and articulation

Palmar Reflex

         Poor handwriting

         Poor manual dexterity

         Lack of pincer grip

         Speech and articulation issues

         Palm may be hypersensitive to touch

         Makes mouth movements when writing or drawing

Scoring

In reviewing the above list, if you saw a cluster of 3 or more symptoms in the same group, then there is reason to believe that some stages of neurodevelopment did not happen to a great enough degree. Purchase Maintaining Brains Everyday DVD for a 15 minute exercise video and complete it every day for 30 to 90 days. If you miss a day, add 2 to the end. If you miss a week start over. Changes should be noticed within 2 to 3 weeks. If you have not seen any changes in the above symptoms within 30 days, you may have to look deeper. Although this works for about 80 percent of the people, it is not the silver bullet (nothing is!). Look into Mind and Body Health - nutrition, exercise, anxiety, depression, disease.

Enjoy the exercises! Although I am in my 60s, I still do them!