Primitive Reflexes Guide

Understanding Primitive Reflexes

13 reflexes that shape your child's development. Learn what each one is, what happens when it stays active too long, and how to help integrate it.

13 Reflexes 12-Week Programme

What are Primitive Reflexes?

The building blocks of the developing nervous system

The Science of Retained Reflexes

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements originating in the brainstem, present from birth for survival. As the brain matures, higher centres inhibit these lower reflexes — a process called integration. When reflexes fail to integrate (due to birth trauma, prematurity, insufficient tummy time, or neurological vulnerability), they remain active and interfere with learning, behaviour, coordination, and emotional stability. Research links retained reflexes to ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, anxiety, and sensory processing disorders.

Developmental Hierarchy of Neural Processing

Level 4
Higher Cortical
Academic learning, emotional regulation, self-esteem, social participation Built on all lower levels — dependent on full primitive reflex integration
Level 3
Perceptual Motor
Form/space perception, auditory-language, visual-spatial skills Requires solid body percept and bilateral coordination
Level 2
Body Percept
Motor planning, bilateral coordination, posture Constructed from foundational sensory integration
Level 1
Foundation
Tactile, Vestibular, Proprioceptive Body awareness, balance, gravitational security — the base of all development

The 13 Primitive Reflexes

Click any card to explore detailed information, signs, and exercises

💡 Advice & Referrals

12-Week Integration Programme

A structured week-by-week guide — click each week to expand

Signs of Successful Integration

Reflex Signs of Integration Timeline
💬 Not sure which reflexes apply to your child?
Describe what you see and Mitra will identify the likely retained reflexes, explain their effects, and guide you through the integration exercises.
Ask Mitra about reflexes →