Primitive Reflexes and Vision
/What are Primitive Reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are involuntary motor movements that aid in the development of certain skills in infants, such as head control, motor skills, and sensory integration. As a baby grows and develops, these reflexes begin to integrate or ‘disappear’ as the child’s movements become more controlled.
“Movement is crucial for the infant’s brain to integrate the primitive reflexes. Vision and movement go hand-in-hand in the integration of primitive reflexes allowing the infant to move through their world as they develop through the early childhood stages of life. From gross motor to fine motor to oculomotor movements, each stage of development is affected by the integration of primitive reflexes.”
What causes Retained Primitive Reflexes?
There are a number of reasons reflexes may be retained/not fully integrated:
Restricted body movement as an infant - spending extended time in carriers or jumpers
Stress on mother and/or baby during pregnancy or delivery
Lack of movement in utero
Trauma, injury, illness
Lack of tummy time
Delayed or skipped creeping and crawling
Other developmental delays
How can I integrate mine or my child’s Primitive Reflexes?
We test for six different reflexes at our office which include: Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex; Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex; Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex; Spinal Galant; Palmar; and Moro. Each of these reflexes can have an effect on our visual system and motor skills if not fully integrated, which may cause difficulties with daily tasks such as reading and writing.
Retained Primitive Reflexes can be integrated through a variety of movement activities in our Vision Therapy program. For more information or to schedule an assessment, please contact Polaris Eye Care via phone or email.