Question

Which populations of children are we most likely to see retained reflexes? In general, what are the residual effects of un-integrated primitive reflexes?

Answer 1

When we are born, we do have some automatic responses directed by our brain or mostly spinal cord and does not require any thought process. These responses known as primitive reflexes are very important for our development and survival.  With time as our brain grows, these responses transits into “integrated primitive reflexes” and are no longer active. When these automatic responses are retained in a child or remains un-integrated with time, the development of different functions in the child delay or does not happen at all.

Childrens who were born with prematurity or low birth weight, experienced inadequate tummy time, traumatic birth, multiple infections and who started walking without crawling first are most likely to see retained reflexes. This retention of primitive reflexes in a child causes underdevelopment of motor function, sensory nerves, coginitive ability, social learning, and different expressions like language. Kids with un-integrated primitive reflexes are most likely to develop Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Autism, learning disorders, and developmental trauma as compared to other kids.