Some of the biggest roadblocks to your child’s learning, speech, and coordination start long before they enter a classroom — and long before you notice a problem.

They start in the brainstem.

From birth, primitive reflexes — like the Moro (startle), Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), and Spinal Galant — help infants survive and develop. But here’s the catch: they’re meant to integrate within the first year of life.

When they don’t?

The brain stays wired for survival, not learning.

That means:

• Involuntary movements interfere with focus and fine motor skills

• Speech and language development can lag

• Clumsiness and poor coordination persist

• Emotional regulation becomes a daily battle

These primitive reflexes are meant to be switched off as the brain matures — moving control upward from the brainstem to the higher brain. But when they stay active, the nervous system is stuck in a reactive state, making focus, learning, and self-regulation harder than they need to be.

And here’s the hopeful part:

These reflexes can be integrated at any age — and when they are, we often see extraordinary gains in focus, speech, coordination, and emotional balance.

This is where most parents and even many practitioners miss a crucial step.

It’s not just about “trying harder” in school or therapy… it’s about giving the brain the foundation it needs to thrive.

What Are Primitive Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are involuntary motor responses originating in the brainstem. Examples include:

• Moro Reflex (startle reflex)

• Rooting Reflex (helps baby find the nipple)

• Palmar Grasp Reflex

• Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

• Spinal Galant Reflex

• Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

These reflexes emerge in utero and during infancy, then should be integrated (inhibited) as the brain matures. Once that happens, control of movement, sensory processing, and cognition shifts upward in the brain hierarchy:

Brainstem → Midbrain → Limbic System → Prefrontal Cortex.

If lower levels are noisy or underdeveloped, higher levels can’t function effectively.

Why Integration Matters for Higher Brain Function

For the cortex — responsible for thinking, speech, planning, and voluntary movement — to operate optimally, primitive reflexes must be quiet. Otherwise, the brain remains reactive, stuck in fight-or-flight.

When primitive reflexes remain active:

• Learning is impaired because the body is distracted by involuntary movements.

• Speech and language can be delayed due to poor oral muscle coordination.

• Motor skills remain clumsy or inefficient.

• Focus and emotional regulation suffer because the nervous system stays in survival mode.

How Integration Supports Key Skills

1. Cognitive Development & Executive Function

When reflexes are inhibited, the prefrontal cortex — the centre for executive function — can come online. This allows for focus, impulse control, working memory, and problem-solving.

Example: A retained Moro reflex keeps a child in a constant startle response. Once integrated, their focus and calm improve dramatically.

2. Language & Speech

Reflexes like Rooting, Sucking, and ATNR influence jaw stability, tongue control, and facial muscle coordination — all vital for clear articulation.

Example: A child with speech delays may be struggling because of an unintegrated Palmar Reflex, which affects both hand and mouth development.

3. Motor Coordination

The ATNR, Spinal Galant, and TLR must be integrated for smooth posture, balance, and coordination.

Example: A child who trips easily or walks on tiptoes may have an active TLR; integration can transform their movement.

4. Sensory Processing & Emotional Regulation

Integration calms the limbic system, helping the sensory system filter input effectively.

Example: A child hypersensitive to sound or touch often becomes calmer after reflex work.

5. Learning & Academic Skills

Skills like reading, writing, and math require coordination between sensory input, motor control, and cognition.

Example: A retained ATNR can prevent a child from crossing the midline, making reading across a page difficult.

How to Support Reflex Integration

• Early Movement Matters: Crawling, tummy time, and unstructured play are crucial in early years.

• Developmental Screenings: Seek assessment from an occupational therapist, neurodevelopmental specialist, or certain chiropractors.

• Movement & Sensory-Based Programs: Approaches like Brain Connex Therapy, derived from the Melillo Method™, combine movement and sensory work for efficient integration.

• Parent Involvement: At-home programs — like our Integrate module in the Whole Child Healing Course — help ensure consistent progress.

Bottom line: 

Primitive reflex integration isn’t just about movement — it’s about creating the neurological foundation for learning, speech, and emotional balance. When we strengthen the base, we unlock the whole child’s potential.

Ready to see these changes in your child?

If your child struggles with focus, learning, speech, or coordination — retained primitive reflexes could be a missing piece in their development.

Start here: 

Listen to our podcast episode on reflex integration & brain development for real-world stories and expert advice.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Go deeper: 

Our Whole Child Healing Course includes complete modules on primitive reflexes, motor skills, and core stability — taught by world-leading paediatric and neurodevelopmental experts. You’ll learn exactly how to assess, support, and integrate reflexes at home and with the right practitioners.

Enrol now and start your child’s transformation