What are Primitive Reflexes then?

Published on 8 April 2026 at 13:29

Primitive Reflexes: What Are They, and Why Is My Child Still Using Them?

If you’ve ever watched your baby fling their arms out dramatically like they’ve just seen a ghost, congratulations — you’ve met a primitive reflex.

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements that babies are born with. They are controlled by the brainstem and are essential for survival in early life. Think of them as your baby’s factory-installed operating system — pre-loaded, automatic, and very useful at the start.

The plan is that, as your child grows and their brain develops, these reflexes should integrate (switch off) and make way for more controlled, voluntary movement. Most do this within the first year of life.

But sometimes… they don’t quite get the memo.

What exactly are primitive reflexes?

Primitive reflexes help babies:

Feed and latch
Respond to danger
Develop early movement patterns
Build the foundations for posture, balance, and coordination

Some common ones you may hear about include:

Moro reflex (startle response)
ATNR (asymmetrical tonic neck reflex – the “fencer pose”)
STNR (symmetrical tonic neck reflex)
Palmar grasp (grabbing anything that touches the palm)

In babies, these are normal and expected. In older children, if still active, they can quietly interfere with everyday skills.

What happens if reflexes don’t integrate?

When a primitive reflex remains active beyond infancy, the body can still respond automatically, even when the child is trying their best to concentrate, sit still, or learn.

This is not laziness.
It’s not poor behaviour.
And it’s definitely not bad parenting.

It’s the nervous system working a bit harder than it needs to.

Retained reflexes may impact:

Posture and sitting at a desk
Balance and coordination
Fine motor skills (handwriting, using cutlery)
Attention and regulation
Emotional responses (big reactions to small stressors)
Tolerance to noise, movement, or touch

To put it simply: the brain is still running an old background programme while trying to install new software. This sometimes looks like ADHD or poor behaviour, so it is always worth looking into if you are considering a diagnostic assessment.

What might this look like day to day?

Parents often notice things like:

Slouching, leaning, or constantly changing position
Difficulty crossing the midline (e.g. swapping hands a lot)
Poor stamina for sitting tasks
Sensitivity to noise, light, or movement
Big emotional reactions that seem to come out of nowhere
“Clumsiness” or frequent bumps and trips

Importantly, many of these children are trying incredibly hard — their bodies just aren’t making it easy.

How does Occupational Therapy help?

An Occupational Therapist trained in reflex integration looks at how these early movement patterns may still be influencing your child’s body and nervous system.

Support is usually:

Gentle and movement-based
Embedded into play and daily routines
Matched to your child’s developmental stage
Focused on building strong foundations for learning and regulation

This is not about “fixing” your child — it’s about supporting their nervous system to mature so everyday tasks require less effort.

The take-home message

Primitive reflexes are a normal part of early development.
When they don’t integrate, children may find daily life harder than it needs to be — often without anyone realising why.

With the right understanding and support, we can help the body catch up, calm down, and move forward.

And if you’re thinking, “That sounds a bit like my child…” — you’re not alone, and help is available. Get in touch for a chat today, or ask for information about our informal training sessions.