A child can be bright, engaged and eager to learn, yet struggle with handwriting, balance, ball skills or sitting upright. If that sounds like your kid, retained primitive reflexes could be worth exploring.
What are primitive reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are the early, built-in movement patterns that babies are born with. They help with important first tasks like:
- feeding
- turning towards touch
- gripping
- reacting to sudden changes in sound or movement.
As children grow, these reflexes are usually replaced by more mature skills that support balance, coordination, posture and everyday learning. When primitive reflexes do not fade as expected, they may interfere with the development of motor skills, cognitive processing and emotional regulation.
A child might seem unusually clumsy, fidgety, sensitive, or easily overwhelmed, even when they are trying their best.
Research suggests an association between retained primitive reflexes and
neurodevelopmental concerns such as:
- learning disabilities
- autism
- sensory processing disorder
- dyslexia
Retained primitive reflexes are not a diagnosis in themselves, but they can help to create a clearer picture of your child’s development.
Why are reflexes retained?
There is not one simple reason. In general, retained reflexes are thought to reflect a delay or difference in how the nervous system matures and organises movement. In practical terms, this means the brain and body may still be leaning on early automatic patterns instead of fully shifting into smoother, more efficient control.
For parents, that can help explain why some things seem harder than expected.
How retained reflexes can affect your child’s day
Retained primitive reflexes do not always look obvious. Sometimes they show up in small, everyday ways that can easily be mistaken for poor focus, low confidence or a child just ‘not trying’. In reality, your child may be putting in a huge amount of effort just to keep their body organised and ready to learn.
You might notice things like:
- messy handwriting or a tight pencil grip
- difficulty sitting upright at the table
- poor balance or frequent tripping
- trouble catching, kicking or throwing a ball
- fidgeting, slumping or wrapping legs around a chair
- sensitivity to noise, movement or busy environments
- trouble crossing the midline, such as moving one hand across the body
- becoming upset more quickly during tasks that seem simple to others
These signs do not confirm retained reflexes on their own, but they can help explain why some children find school, sport and everyday routines more draining than expected.
A quick guide to some common reflexes
| Reflex | What it helps with early on | When retained, you may notice… |
| Moro reflex | An early startle response that helps a baby react to sudden sounds, movement or changes in position. |
|
| Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) | Helps link head turning with early eye–hand coordination and the gradual development of midline control. |
|
| Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) | Helps babies move towards crawling and organise the upper and lower body. |
|
| Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) | Helps the body respond to gravity and contributes to early balance and postural development. |
|
| Spinal Galant Reflex | Linked with early trunk movement and postural development. |
|
Can adults have retained reflexes too?
Yes, they can. While primitive reflexes are usually discussed in relation to children, adults can also show signs that suggest early movement patterns may still be interfering with posture, coordination and day-to-day function.
An adult might say they have always been clumsy, struggled with balance, found desk work tiring, or felt unusually tense and reactive in busy environments. Others may notice that exercise, coordination or staying organised physically feels harder than it seems for other people.
This does not mean reflexes are always the reason, but it does mean the pattern can be worth exploring, especially when these challenges have been present for a long time.
How primitive reflex integration can help
Primitive reflex integration is not about forcing a child to ‘perform better’. It is about helping the brain and body work together more smoothly, so everyday tasks take less effort.
This usually involves simple, repeated movement-based activities that support balance, coordination, posture, body awareness and motor planning. Depending on the person, that might include floor-based movements, rhythm, bilateral coordination work, or activities that support core stability and proprioception.
The goal is practical. It might mean making it easier to:
- sit at the table
- use both hands together
- manage handwriting
- join in with sport
- stay more settled during learning and daily routines.
For some children, this can reduce the ‘daily friction’ that shows up across school, home and play.
It is important to keep expectations realistic. Reflex integration is not a one-size-fits-all answer, and it should not be treated as the only explanation for learning or coordination challenges. The most helpful approach is one that looks at the whole child and connects support to real-life needs.
When to seek support
If your child is finding movement, coordination, attention or regulation harder than expected, it may be worth looking a little deeper. An assessment can help work out whether retained primitive reflexes are part of the picture, alongside any other developmental, sensory or learning factors.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
References
- Sigafoos, J., Roche, L., O’Reilly, M.F. et al. Persistence of Primitive Reflexes in Developmental Disorders. Curr Dev Disord Rep 8, 98–105 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-021-00232-2, [Accessed 25 March 2026]
- Mortimer, J.E., Maricle, D.E. (2011). Moro Reflex. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_1842, [Accessed 25 March 2026]
- Pecuch A, Gieysztor E, Wolańska E, Telenga M, Paprocka-Borowicz M. Primitive Reflex Activity in Relation to Motor Skills in Healthy Preschool Children. Brain Sci. 2021 Jul 23;11(8):967. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11080967. PMID: 34439585; PMCID: PMC8394673. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8394673/, [Accessed 25 March 2026]
- Vlădăreanu L, Iliescu MG, Andronache IT, Danteș E. Persistence of Primitive Reflexes as Possible Predictive Factors for Progression, Prevention, and Early Rehabilitation Intervention in Idiopathic Scoliosis. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Feb 28;61(3):427. doi: 10.3390/medicina61030427. PMID: 40142238; PMCID: PMC11943664. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40142238/, [Accessed 25 March 2026]
