Primitive Reflex Integration & Sensory-Motor Foundations
Supporting regulation, coordination, attention and confidence through a body-based approach.
The Reflexive Pathway
Early in development, the body is guided by automatic movement patterns known as primitive reflexes. These reflexes help babies move, explore and begin interacting with the world.
As children grow, these reflexes are expected to integrate through movement, play and repeated sensory-motor experiences — forming the foundation for posture, coordination, attention and emotional regulation.
When reflexes remain active, the body can be working harder beneath the surface. This can show up in ways that are often misunderstood as behaviour, rather than a reflection of how the nervous system is functioning.
Early MovementBefore skills like sitting, handwriting and attention develop, the body builds through early movement patterns such as rolling, reaching, pushing and crawling.
These patterns support:
Connection between both sides of the body
Midline crossing and coordination
Postural strength and stability
Visual tracking and hand use
When these foundations are supported, children often find it easier to engage, learn and regulate.
Reflexive Pathway
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Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)
A startle response that helps the body respond to change and maintain safety.
Expected development:
4–6 monthsHow it develops through movement:
Flexion and extension patterns
Head control against gravity
Vestibular input (movement and position changes)
Proprioceptive input (pushing, pulling, deep pressure)
Key areas of the body:
Core
Neck
Shoulder stability
Why it might not integrate:
Birth stress or early medical factors
A highly sensitive nervous system
Ongoing sensory overload
Limited opportunities for regulated movement
What you might notice:
Sensitivity to sound or movement
Big emotional responses
Difficulty with transitions
Easily overwhelmed
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Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
Supports early reaching, visual tracking and coordination.
Expected development:
4–6 monthsHow it develops through movement:
Rolling patterns
Reaching across midline
Hands to midline play
Coordinating eye and head movement
Key areas of the body:
Obliques
Shoulders
Neck rotation
Why it might not integrate:
Reduced tummy time
Limited reaching across the body
Early compensation patterns
Ongoing nervous system load
What you might notice:
Difficulty crossing midline
Challenges with handwriting
Head movement impacting arm use
Difficulty copying
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Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)
Supports crawling and separation of upper and lower body.
Expected development:
9–11 monthsHow it develops through movement:
Crawling
Weight-bearing through arms
Head control during movement
Position transitions
Key areas of the body:
Core
Shoulders
Hips
Why it might not integrate:
Skipped crawling
Reduced strength
Limited weight-bearing
Reduced repetition of patterns
What you might notice:
Slouched sitting
Difficulty sitting still
Fidgeting
Reduced endurance
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Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)
Supports posture, muscle tone and orientation to gravity.
Expected development:
By 6 monthsHow it develops through movement:
Tummy time
Rolling
Lifting head
Upright balance
Key areas of the body:
Core
Postural muscles
Neck and spine
Why it might not integrate:
Limited floor time
Reduced movement variety
Low tone or strength
Protective movement patterns
What you might notice:
Poor posture
Balance challenges
Coordination difficulties
Spatial awareness difficulties
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Spinal Galant Reflex
Supports early mobility and trunk movement.
Expected development:
3–9 monthsHow it develops through movement:
Rolling
Side-lying play
Rotational movement
Crawling and climbing
Key areas of the body:
Obliques
Lower back
Pelvis
Why it might not integrate:
Limited trunk movement
Reduced rotation
Sensitivity to touch
Ongoing sensory load
What you might notice:
Fidgeting when sitting
Difficulty staying still
Sensitivity to clothing
Wriggling or shifting position
It’s important to recognise that development is not always linear, and each child’s early experiences can influence how these patterns evolve.
Children can continue to function and participate with retained reflexes — though often at a higher cost, requiring more effort across regulation, coordination and daily tasks.
How Primitive Reflexes Can Be Supported
Primitive reflexes aren’t something we “switch off” — they are integrated through movement and experience over time.
This is supported by gently revisiting the foundational movement patterns that were designed to integrate them:
Rolling, reaching and midline play to support early coordination patterns
Crawling and creeping to build bilateral integration and postural stability
Climbing, pushing and pulling to develop strength and body awareness
Head, eye and body coordination activities to support integration across systems
Rhythm and repetition to help the nervous system organise and embed patterns
Integrated reflexes benefitsAs the body becomes more organised, children often experience:
A more stable, upright posture with less slumping or fidgeting
Ability to cross the midline with ease (e.g. during play, drawing, reading)
Smoother coordination between both sides of the body
Improved balance and body awareness in movement and play
More consistent attention and ability to stay with tasks
Greater ease with handwriting, drawing and fine motor tasks
More efficient eye movements (tracking, scanning, shifting focus)
Reduced need for constant movement or sensory seeking to stay organised
More regulated, proportionate responses to everyday situations
Through this approach, we’re not just working on individual skills — we’re supporting the underlying systems that make those skills possible.
As the body becomes more organised, children often experience improved regulation, increased attention, greater coordination and more ease in everyday tasks.