How Retained Primitive Reflexes Affect Growth, Learning, and Behavior

Every parent wants the best for their child. But sometimes, despite doing “all the right things,” your child may still struggle with focus, coordination, emotions, or learning. You may find yourself wondering: “Why is this so hard for my child?”

One often-overlooked reason is something called retained primitive reflexes—automatic movement patterns all babies are born with that should naturally fade as the brain matures. When they don’t fully integrate, they can quietly interfere with your child’s movement, learning, behavior, and emotional regulation.

This guide will help you understand:

• What primitive reflexes are

• How retained primitive reflexes affect child development

• The most common reflexes linked to learning and behavior challenges

• Signs and symptoms to watch for

• And how occupational therapy can help

Key Takeaways

• Primitive reflexes are essential for infancy but should naturally integrate (go away) as children grow

• Retained primitive reflexes can interfere with learning, posture, coordination, attention, and emotional regulation

• Reflex retention does not mean something is “wrong” with your child

• Early identification and therapy lead to better outcomes

• Occupational therapy plays a powerful role in reflex integration and brain development

Understanding Primitive Reflexes: The Foundation of Child Development

Primitive reflexes are automatic, involuntary movements that begin in the womb and help babies survive and grow. These reflexes guide early feeding, bonding, movement, posture, and sensory development.

For example:

• The rooting reflex helps babies find the breast

• The palmar reflex helps babies grasp

• The Moro (startle) reflex protects infants from danger

As your child grows, the nervous system should naturally replace these reflexes with voluntary movement, balance, coordination, and control. This process is called integration.

Think of primitive reflexes like training wheels for the brain. They’re incredibly important at first—but when they don’t come off on time, they can hold your child back.

What Happens When Primitive Reflexes Don’t Integrate?

When retained primitive reflexes remain active past early childhood, the nervous system continues reacting as if the child is still a baby.

This can impact:

• Posture and balance

• Fine and gross motor skills

• Handwriting

• Reading and visual tracking

• Emotional regulation

• Focus and attention

• Sensory processing

• Confidence and independence

These children are often mislabeled as lazy, clumsy, anxious, dramatic, or inattentive—when in reality, their brain and body are working much harder than they should.

Signs and Symptoms of Retained Primitive Reflexes in Children

Parents often notice:

• Poor coordination or frequent falling

• Poor posture (slouching, leaning on furniture)

• Difficulty sitting still

• Emotional outbursts or anxiety

• Handwriting struggles

• Poor pencil grip

• Sensitivity to sound, light, or movement

• Difficulty reading or copying from the board

• Fatigue during schoolwork

• Delays in dressing, feeding, or self-care

• Difficulty riding a bike or catching a ball

These signs don’t mean something is “wrong” with your child. They simply signal that the nervous system still needs support.

The Most Common Retained Primitive Reflexes

Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)

The Moro reflex is activated by loud sounds, sudden movement, or sensory overload.

When retained, it may cause:

• Anxiety

• Overreaction to stress

• Sensory overwhelm

• Difficulty focusing

• Emotional highs and lows

Children with a retained Moro reflex often live in “fight or flight” mode—which makes learning much harder.

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

The TLR affects balance, posture, and spatial awareness.

When retained, you may see:

• Poor posture

• Balance struggles

• Motion sensitivity

• Fear of movement

• Fatigue during sitting tasks

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

The ATNR influences hand-eye coordination and midline crossing.

When retained, it affects:

• Handwriting

• Cutting with scissors

• Catching a ball

• Eye coordination

• Reading

• Bilateral coordination

Children with ATNR retention often struggle with tasks requiring both sides of the body to work together.

Palmar Reflex

This reflex controls early grasping.

When retained, you may notice:

• Poor pencil grip

• Hand fatigue

• Messy handwriting

• Difficulty with fine motor skills

• Trouble with buttons, zippers, and tool use

Spinal Galant Reflex

This reflex supports early movement along the spine.

When retained, it may cause:

• Fidgeting

• Poor sitting posture

• Difficulty staying seated

• Bedwetting

• Low attention and concentration

Rooting Reflex

This reflex supports early feeding.

When retained, it can affect:

• Chewing

• Swallowing

• Speech articulation

• Oral sensitivity

How Retained Primitive Reflexes Affect Learning and Behavior

When reflex retention is present, children often struggle with:

• Reading and visual tracking

• Writing and endurance

• Following directions

• Sitting still

• Emotional regulation

• Classroom participation

• Peer relationships

These challenges stem from neurological immaturity—not lack of effort or intelligence.

How Occupational Therapy Helps with Primitive Reflex Integration

Occupational therapy does not simply “test reflexes.”We strengthen the foundation skills that allow reflexes to naturally integrate, including:

• Core strength

• Postural stability

• Balance

• Bilateral coordination

• Sensory processing

• Motor planning

What an OT Evaluation Looks Like

An occupational therapist may assess:

• Primitive reflex patterns

• Muscle tone and posture

• Balance and coordination

• Fine motor development

• Sensory processing

• Visual-motor integration

• Functional daily living skills

OT Activities That Support Reflex Integration

• Crawling patterns

• Animal walks

• Swinging and vestibular play

• Obstacle courses

• Heavy work (pushing, pulling, carrying)

• Midline crossing games

• Hand strengthening activities

• Visual tracking games

These activities look like play—but they are carefully designed to rewire the brain through movement.

When Should You Seek Help?

Consider an OT evaluation if your child has:

• Learning struggles

• Poor coordination

• Emotional reactivity

• Sensory issues

• Handwriting difficulties

• Delays in independence

• Low confidence

Early support makes everything easier—but it’s never too late to help a child grow.

Final Thoughts for Parents

Retained primitive reflexes are not a diagnosis, not a parenting failure, and not permanent.They simply show us where the brain still needs support.

With the right therapy, children build:

• Stronger bodies

• Calmer emotions

• Better focus

• Improved learning

• Greater confidence

Occupational therapy helps children feel comfortable in their body—which unlocks everything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are primitive reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements babies are born with to help with survival and early development. They should naturally fade as the nervous system matures.

How do retained primitive reflexes affect learning?

They interfere with posture, balance, eye coordination, attention, and emotional regulation—making school much harder.

What signs indicate retained primitive reflexes?

Clumsiness, poor handwriting, difficulty sitting still, emotional overload, sensory sensitivity, poor posture, and fatigue.

How are retained primitive reflexes treated?

Through occupational therapy and movement-based exercises that help the nervous system mature.

Can retained primitive reflexes be prevented?

Not always—but early movement, play, and therapy greatly reduce long-term challenges.