Primitive reflex integration treatment helps children develop motor, cognitive, and coordination skills by addressing retained reflexes that can affect movement, focus, and daily activities.

We sometimes think of infants as completely helpless and who can’t do anything for themselves. This is mostly true. But they do have a number of innate reflexes. These help keep them safe in those early days of life.

These are referred to as “primitive reflexes.” In most children they will disappear with the passing of time as they become less and less useful. If they don’t, these same reflexes which were once important for survival can have adverse effects. Occupational therapy for children near me here at New Horizons Wellness Services can help. Let’s explore primitive reflexes.

We’ll take a look at what they are, how they work, and how occupational therapy can help.

What Are Primitive Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements. They happen as feedback to specific activity associated with the neck and head. These movements are tools all infants have. They’re considered essential for survival. As children learn to control their movements, these reflexes will start to integrate as they meet new occupational therapy developmental milestones.

What Are Primitive Reflexes Examples?

In this section, we’ll look at examples of some of the spontaneous, or involuntary, reflexes you’ll see in infants. Examples include the following:

1. Suck Reflex

The suck reflex usually develops between week 32 and week 36 of pregnancy and is sometimes weakened in premature babies. It’s triggered by the roof of the mouth being touched. Because of a hand to mouth reflex, sometimes infants will suck on their hands and fingers.

2. Rooting Reflex

The rooting reflex is what helps a baby to find the nipple of a bottle, or to begin chest or breastfeeding. It happens when the corner of the mouth is touched, causing them to turn their head in the direction of the touch. Typically this reflex lasts for about four months.

3. Grasp Reflex

Stroke the palm of your baby’s hand, and they’ll grab your finger. This is the grasp reflex. As the name suggests, it causes the baby to close their hand, or make a “grasping” motion. It should last until about six months old.

4. Stepping Reflex

Sometimes referred to as the “dance” or “walking” reflex, this occurs when a baby is help up so their feet touch a solid surface. It’s called this because this reflex makes it look like they’re trying to take steps or dance. This reflex lasts about two months after birth.

5. Startle Reflex

In response to a movement or loud noise, this reflex involves the infant throwing their head back, and extending and then contracting their arms and legs. Sometimes this reflex, which is also called the “Moro reflex” can be stimulated by a baby’s own cries. This doesn’t usually last beyond two months old.

6. Tonic Neck Reflex

This is also known as the “fencing” reflex. When your baby’s neck turns to one side, their arm on the same side will stretch out. Their other arm will bends at the elbow. Typically, this reflex will stop after about seven months old. If it doesn’t, your baby may have trouble developing certain fine motor skills like crossing the midline.

How Do Primitive Reflexes Integrate?

As your baby learns to better control their movements, primitive reflexes will go away, or integrate. This is associated with meeting developmental milestones. These milestones can include learning to hold up their head, crawling, and walking.

What Causes Primitive Reflexes To Not Integrate Naturally?

In some cases, primitive reflexes don’t integrate as they’re expected to. We don’t yet understand exactly why this happens. But we do know some risk factors. Some of these include issues during pregnancy like:

1. Severe vomiting or morning sickness
2. Increases stress during pregnancy
3. Use of alcohol, drugs, or smoking
4. Viral infection

Others can happen during birth, including:

1. Issues with the placenta
2. Use of forceps during birth
3. Prolonged labor
4. Cesarian section
5. Breach birth
6. Umbilical cord being wrapped around the neck

In newborns, the following issues may contribute to reflexes not integrating:

1. Jaundice
2. Low weight at birth
3. High fever
4. Issues with feeding

Do People With ADHD Have Retained Primitive Reflexes?

Some children with ADHD may have retained primitive reflexes.A 2016 study in the Archives of Medical Science shows a link between retained primitive reflexes and cognitive challenges. This may also be a factor in cases of ADHD, and can lead to ADHD symptoms such as poor concentration and fidgeting.

RELATED: How Can Occupational Therapy Help With ADHD?

Retained primitive reflexes have also been linked with other disorders, like autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder.

How To Tell If Your Child’s Primitive Reflexes Haven’t Integrated

Children whose reflexes haven’t integrated may have difficulty with the following tasks:

• Sitting still
• Gross motor skills like catching, throwing, jumping, and running
• Fine motor skills like hand movements
• Eye tracking

Other signs include:

• Sitting with legs in a “W” position
• Bed wetting beyond age five
• Low impulse control
• Impaired concentration
• Chronic thumb and finger sucking
• Drooling

How Can Primitive Reflex Integration Occupational Therapy Help?

If your child is showing signs that their primitive reflexes haven’t integrated, an occupational therapist can help. They’ll perform an assessment of your child’s skills and attempt to discover the reasons for these delays. You may have noticed some of the above symptoms are also characteristics of children with ADHD and other neurological disorders. Occupational therapy for integrating reflexes will involve movements which work with, and against reflexes. Your pediatric occupational therapist will give you activities to practice at home as well.

Support Your Child’s Development with the Right Therapy

If your child is showing signs of retained primitive reflexes or developmental delays, early support can make a meaningful difference. Primitive reflex integration is just one part of helping children build the motor, sensory, and functional skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and in everyday life.

At New Horizons Wellness Services, we offer services that support children experiencing challenges related to retained primitive reflexes, including:

● Occupational Therapy Services – Our occupational therapists evaluate how retained primitive reflexes may be affecting your child’s motor skills, coordination, sensory processing, attention, and daily activities. We create individualized treatment plans that use evidence-based strategies and play-based activities to promote reflex integration and help children reach important developmental milestones. Our team provides pediatric occupational therapy tailored to each child’s unique needs while partnering with families through practical home activities that reinforce progress between therapy sessions.

● Social Skills Groups – Some children with retained primitive reflexes may also experience challenges with attention, self-regulation, confidence, or interacting with peers. Our Social Skills Groups provide a supportive environment where children can strengthen communication, cooperation, emotional regulation, and relationship-building skills while practicing positive social interactions with others.

Every child develops at their own pace, but persistent developmental concerns shouldn’t be ignored. If you think retained primitive reflexes may be affecting your child’s growth, learning, or daily functioning, the team at New Horizons Wellness Services is here to help. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and learn how personalized occupational therapy can support your child’s long-term development and success. Book a call now!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the potential consequences if a child’s primitive reflexes do not integrate?

Retained primitive reflexes can affect gross and fine motor skills, eye tracking, impulse control, concentration, and may contribute to behaviors like chronic thumb sucking, bedwetting, or difficulty sitting still.

Which factors may prevent primitive reflexes from integrating naturally?

Issues during pregnancy, birth complications, and newborn health challenges—such as low birth weight, jaundice, high fever, or feeding difficulties—can interfere with reflex integration.

How are retained primitive reflexes linked to ADHD and other developmental disorders?

Children with ADHD or other neurological disorders may retain primitive reflexes, which can contribute to cognitive and behavioral challenges such as poor concentration, fidgeting, or difficulty with motor coordination.

How does primitive reflex integration therapy work?

Occupational therapists assess a child’s reflexes and developmental delays, then guide movements and exercises designed to help the child gradually integrate retained reflexes, often including activities to practice at home.

What signs should parents watch for that may indicate retained primitive reflexes?

Parents may notice difficulties with sitting still, jumping, running, fine motor tasks, eye tracking, low impulse control, chronic thumb or finger sucking, drooling, or unusual sitting positions like the “W” position.

EDITORIAL REVIEW BY MELODIE ETHEL-KING, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Melodie Ethel-King, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist at New Horizons Wellness Services with more than 30 years of clinical experience serving children, teens, and adults in community, medical, school, and home-based settings. She specializes in ADHD, autism, sensory processing, executive functioning, handwriting, and self regulation. She has extensive experience helping individuals develop practical strategies that improve participation at home, school, work, and in the community.

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