Primitive Reflexes in Children: What Parents Should Know

Primitive reflexes are getting a lot of attention right now in the therapy world—and naturally, parents have questions. At our clinic, we believe in providing evidence-based care that focuses on what matters most: helping your child succeed in everyday life.

Here are some of the most common questions we hear about primitive reflexes:

What are primitive reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements that babies are born with, such as the Moro reflex (startle response) or rooting reflex. These reflexes typically integrate (or fade) as a child’s brain and body develop during infancy.

What does it mean if a reflex is “retained”?

A retained reflex means that a reflex is still present beyond the age when it typically disappears.

Some therapists and programs suggest that retained reflexes can impact skills like coordination, attention, or behavior. While reflex patterns can sometimes be observed in children who have challenges, their presence does not always mean they are causing functional difficulties.

Do retained reflexes affect my child’s development?

Possibly—but not always.

Research shows that:

• Retained reflexes may be present in children with developmental challenges

• However, their presence does not automatically equal a functional problem

That’s why it’s important to look at the bigger picture: how your child is functioning in daily life.

Do you treat retained reflexes directly?

At our clinic, we do not focus on reflex integration as a standalone treatment.

Instead, we:

• Use standardized assessments and clinical observation

• Determine whether a reflex is actually impacting your child’s daily skills

• Focus treatment on improving real-life participation

Our priority is helping your child succeed in:

• Play

• Self-care (dressing, feeding, etc.)

• Learning tasks

• Emotional and sensory regulation

Why don’t you focus only on reflex integration?

This approach is guided by recommendations from the American Occupational Therapy Association.

They emphasize that:

• Reflex integration alone does not improve participation in daily activities

• The presence of retained reflexes does not necessarily indicate functional impairment

• Therapy should focus on building meaningful skills, not just addressing reflexes in isolation

Is there a link between retained reflexes and autism?

Right now, there is no strong, consistent evidence showing a clear connection between retained primitive reflexes and autism.

There is some research supporting reflex-based interventions in very specific cases, such as:

• Infants

• Individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury

• Spinal cord injury

Outside of these situations, the research is still limited—especially when it comes to autism.

Do you ever use activities related to reflex integration?

Yes—but in a functional, play-based way.

We often incorporate movements that overlap with reflex integration programs, such as:

• Crawling patterns

• Weight-bearing activities

• Bilateral coordination tasks

The difference is that we:

• Embed these movements into meaningful activities

• Focus on skill-building rather than isolated exercises

• Make therapy engaging and fun for your child

Will assessing reflexes change my child’s therapy plan?

In most cases, it won’t significantly change the overall approach.

We can assess primitive reflexes if you’re interested. However:

• Our treatment already targets the underlying skills your child needs

• We prioritize functional outcomes like independence, coordination, and regulation

• We focus on what will make the biggest difference in your child’s daily life

What is your overall approach to therapy?

Our philosophy is simple:

We treat skills, not just symptoms.

That means focusing on:

• Functional development

• Motor planning and coordination

• Sensory and emotional regulation

• Participation in everyday activities

Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just improvement in a test—it’s helping your child thrive at home, at school, and in their community.

Have more questions?

We’re always happy to talk through your concerns and help you understand what’s best for your child. Contact us to get started!