Primitive reflex or Archaic reflex

Primitive reflexes are:
- essential automatic reactions for the survival and development of the infant,
- as well as for bodily integrity throughout life.
A reflex is a response to a stimulus that manifests as a very rapid, involuntary, stereotyped muscle activation.
Reflex activity is produced by a "reflex arc," the integrated response mechanism of a nerve center without the intervention of the brain or conscious will.
Primitive reflexes appear in the fetus during pregnancy or in the child from birth and normally disappear during the first year of life.
An primitive reflex is said to be "inhibited" or "integrated" when it has completed its developmental cycle and is dormant.

Primitive reflexes play a crucial role in the maturation and development of a child's motor and emotional capacities, and their non-integration can lead to long-term developmental difficulties (cognitive and physical).

Uninhibited reflexes ?

Uninhibited primitive reflexes can cause difficulties in various areas of life, such as:

learning (reading, writing, academic difficulties, etc.)
emotions (hypersensitivity, frequent outbursts, fear, anxiety, social withdrawal, restlessness, aggression, etc.)
coordination (clumsiness, poor laterality, etc.)
motor skills (fine and gross)
posture (difficulty sitting still, clumsiness, etc.)
concentration and attention
sensory processing (hypersensitivity to noise, touch, and light)

Some behaviors resulting from uninhibited primitive reflexes are often observed

The observable behaviors resulting from uninhibited primitive reflexes are often attributed to other causes. Consequently, the underlying cause of the child's difficulties is often overlooked.

Signs may indicate that the nervous system is affected by unintegrated primitive reflexes (non-exhaustive list).

Difficulty crawling, difficulty adopting the quadruped position, difficulty to learn swiming
Walking on tiptoe, W-sitting posture
Clumsy handwriting, excessive pressure on the pencil, tearing holes in paper, hand pain.
Rapid fatigue when sitting, need for constant movement, inability to sit for long periods (restlessness), slumped posture
Reading difficulties, confusion between right and left
Difficulty organizing tasks, procrastination, mental overload
Unstable eye tracking, motion sickness
Speech difficulties, slurred speech
Hypersensitivity to noise and light, intense emotional reactions
Behavioral symptoms: restlessness, impulsivity, irrational fears, difficulty letting go, anxious or hyperactive behavior
Difficulty crossing the midline, between right and left
Sleep difficulties, difficulty falling asleep, bedwetting
Chronic pain, lower back pain, neck pain, pain in the arms, legs, or Achilles tendon
Generalized anxiety, chronic stress, insomnia, burnout, difficulty managing stress
Concentration problems, unexplained fatigue, impaired memory Body sensitivity, back sensitivity (discomfort caused by labels), discomfort to touch
Breathing difficulties, snoring

The persistence of primitive reflexes can be associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders, including:

dyslexia
dyspraxia
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

Approximately 65% of children with ADHD exhibit unintegrated primitive reflexes.

Several studies suggest that nearly 95% of children diagnosed with dyslexia show a lack of integration of their primitive reflexes.

Plusieurs études suggèrent que près de 95 % des enfants diagnostiqués dyslexiques présentent un manque d’intégration de leurs réflexes archaïques.

Integrating reflexes: Reducing stress + Optimizing learning

It's possible !

Neuronal plasticity, through a tailored approach, allows for the integration of primitive reflexes.
This also allows life reflexes to be fully active.
Targeted stimulation and exercises enable the inhibition and integration of primitive reflexes.
Reflex integration is possible at any age.