Retained primitive reflexes can influence emotional stability, coordination, handwriting, attention, behaviour and postural control. Common signs include difficulty sitting still, fatigue, poor midline crossing, clumsiness, fear of movement, strong emotional reactions or delays in fine and gross motor skills.

Parents often sense that their child is working harder than expected for simple tasks, or that something “underneath” the behaviour or learning difficulty hasn’t yet been addressed. You may feel unsure why handwriting, balance, transitions, emotional regulation or body awareness seem harder for your child.

Primitive reflexes form the early foundations for motor, sensory, emotional and cognitive development. When they remain active, they can create additional load on the nervous system. Through movement-based intervention, rhythmic activities, sensory integration, postural strengthening and reflex-informed sequencing, therapy helps the brain and body organise more efficiently.

If developmental foundations are affecting your child’s learning, behaviour or coordination, reflex-informed Occupational Therapy can support smoother movement, stability and emotional regulation.