Evaluating Primitive Reflexes

Some definitions and processes to be aware of:

Primitive Reflexes can be in any one of 5 states:

  1. absent
  2. active and dominant
  3. enmeshed
  4. partially integrated
  5. integrated

That means that the movement response to a specific sensory stimulus is any of the following:

  1. not there, perhaps not possible
  2. the only response
  3. linked to another unexpected movement
  4. one of some choices of response but under stress reverts to the only response or the enmeshed version
  5. one of many choices of response and there is freedom to change the response

Some of the stimuli and their responses are not comfortable to experience, so it is ill advised to just randomly apply the reflex stimulus, looking for the response.

In some people, the repeated non-therapeutic experience of the reflex stimulus has a cumulative traumatic effect
and can result in neurological shut down.

Inappropriate Primitive Reflex Activity, (active beyond the developmental age when it should have evolved into a choice) though relatively easily remedied, needs to be correctly evaluated so that one is creating the brain pathways in the correct places. This is because Hebb's axiom  is true  - that "What Fires Together Wires Together". It is essential for functional improvement that the correct pathways fire together - so that the correct pathways are wired together.

This is not a hit and miss thing. There is a system to the development of humans and our complexity.  When you have an evaluation done, make sure the person has the credentials to do so.

At KidsBrainTree Fort Collins, a Primitive Reflex Evaluation is part of a Neurological Maturity Evaluation. The presence of active or enmeshed reflexes, as well as the extent to which reflex patterns are absent or integrated is done together with a determination of the person's neurological patterns under stress, the amount of perceived safety within their body, their basic connectedness to themselves and others, and their cognitive development in terms of the consolidation of their ability to categorize.

Neural Maturity Evaluation

Our Neural Maturity Evaluation is a thorough, multi-step process designed to get to the root of your child’s unique developmental needs. This comprehensive assessment combines hands-on evaluation, interviews, questionnaires, and specialized testing. Here’s what to expect:

Step 1: Complimentary Discovery Visit
The journey begins with a complimentary 20-minute Discovery Visit, where you’ll get a sense of our approach and see if it feels right for your family. This visit is your time to ask questions and explore how we can support your goals for your child.

Step 2: In-Depth Intake Session
The Intake Session dives deeper. Nearly always, there are unique factors influencing your child’s development—past experiences, possible trauma, or underlying issues like auditory processing or visual-motor skills. This session allows us to understand the full context of your child’s journey. Together, we’ll determine if Primitive Reflexes are primarily affecting development or if other elements, such as auditory processing or visual-perceptual skills, might also be at play. This is also when we collect a lock of hair, fingernail clippings, and a saliva swab, either in person or sent in ahead. This non-invasive collection helps us check for parasites, latent strep, and assess vagus nerve function.

Step 3: Movement-Based Evaluation (In-Clinic or Online)
The heart of the evaluation takes place in a 55-minute, movement-based assessment where we observe key indicators of neural maturity in action. For the best experience, we recommend this in-clinic session, included in the $750 evaluation cost, so that we can directly guide your child through specific movements. If in-person is not an option, we can also conduct this evaluation online, though the process will take a bit more time to guide you step-by-step in facilitating the movements.

Step 4: Comprehensive Feedback Session
Our final session is an in-depth, 1-hour feedback meeting. During this time, you’ll receive a comprehensive understanding of what’s influencing your child’s development. We’ll cover everything from potential biological factors, like parasites or strep, to family dynamics and specific movement and perceptual skills. You’ll leave with a personalized roadmap of actionable next steps and regular check-ins to support your child’s growth and resilience.

Specific reflexes that we evaluate:
  • Fear Paralysis Reflex
  • Moro / Startle Reflex
  • Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)
  • Hands Pulling and Grasp Reflexes
  • Babkin Reflex
  • Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)
  • Tendon Guard Reflex
  • Landau
  • Babinski and Grasp Reflex
  • Amphibian
  • Spinal Galant
  • Bauer Crawling
  • Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
If needed - the following will also be evaluated
  • Rooting
  • Eye movement - tracking, accommodation, focus
  • Finger movement which looks at hand and fine motor development.
  • Cranial Movement - how the bones in the head are moving
Schedule a Complementary 20 min Discovery Visit

What we do with the Results:

With the results from your child’s evaluation, we’ll determine the best next steps together. If active Primitive Reflexes are impacting behavior or academic performance, we’ll sit down and discuss targeted intervention options. If we identified during the intake that further evaluations are needed—like auditory processing or visual-motor integration assessments—we’ll schedule these to ensure we have the fullest picture possible. This way, you’ll have all the information you need to make the best choice for building the brain connections that will support your child’s growth.

Intervention Plans
Most interventions at our clinic focus on specific neuro-developmental movements that can be done at home for about 15 minutes a day, along with short, weekly or bi-weekly sessions in our clinic. Generally, children complete 16 sessions before taking a break, as we work with the natural pace of brain integration.

Commitment to Consistency
One thing we know for sure: consistent movement practice is essential. Without it, the brain changes we’re aiming for simply do not happen.

Addressing Biological Factors
If parasites are contributing to the issue, we have specific protocols for addressing them. While these treatments can sometimes be challenging, we’ll guide you every step of the way. For latent strep, we use RIFE technology, which has proven effective, and we’ll walk you through this process when the time comes.

Important Considerations for Success

Consistent, regular practice of brain-connecting movements at home is essential for progress. We have minimized the amount to about 5-10 min a day. When working with us, please consider the following factors that can impact your child’s success in the program:

Illness and Recovery: Each fever of 101°F or higher can set progress back by up to two weeks.
Consistent Attendance: Intermittent attendance can double the time needed to meet developmental milestones.
Home Program Prioritization: Completing home exercises regularly is key; if it’s challenging to fit them in, we can discuss ways to make the program more manageable.
Power Dynamics: A power struggle between you and your child may affect consistency. We can provide guidance on creating a supportive routine.
Parental Role in Accountability: Children need parental support to stay on track, as most aren’t yet able to manage the program on their own.
Unified Parental Support: If there are differing approaches at home, it’s important to work together to ensure consistency.
School and Homework Fatigue: If school and homework leave little time for the program, we can discuss flexible scheduling options.
Evening Time Constraints: For families with tight schedules between work, sports, and bedtime, we can explore adjustments to integrate the program more smoothly.

By being aware of these factors and making adjustments as needed, we can create the best path for your child’s progress and growth.

Supporting Your Success in the Program

We understand that some factors can slow down progress, and we want to help you avoid those pitfalls. Our goal is to ensure your child can experience meaningful change within the expected timeline (typically 32 sessions). Here’s how we help you stay on track:

Home Program Emphasis: Completing the home program is critical for overall progress. We’ll discuss its importance with you and provide tools to keep it engaging and manageable.

Tracking and Rewards: We provide a check-off sheet for each session. For honest completion, some families find small rewards helpful—whether it’s a treat or extra encouragement, we’re here to help keep motivation strong.

Weekly Check-Ins: Each week, we’ll review any roadblocks you’re facing, from technique questions to finding time. If adjustments or new activities are needed, we’ll work together to find solutions.

Parent Coaching: Parents learn separately from children, allowing you to experience the home program firsthand, ask questions, and feel confident in each movement’s purpose and technique.

Support Training: If a tutor, au-pair, family member, or support staff will be helping, we can train them to ensure the program is carried out consistently and correctly.

On-Demand Video Resources: We offer access to an online class with video guides that review and reinforce each step of the program (hosted on Teachable.com), so you can refer back whenever you need.

In-Clinic Movement Support: For added consistency, we offer 15-minute, in-clinic movement sessions three times a week, in addition to the regular weekly session. This schedule provides four days of guided practice weekly, which is the minimum needed to see change ($35 per session).

Parent-Child Relationship Support: If power struggles are affecting consistency, we can work with you to explore underlying dynamics. Our approach supports healthy connection, steering clear of behavior extinction or operant conditioning tactics. Instead, we focus on building a balanced, respectful relationship.

Structured Intervention Periods: We limit each intervention period to 16 sessions, after which there’s a planned break or transition. This gives you a defined timeline to focus on, with an end-evaluation date to mark on the calendar.

Mastery Milestones: We have a clear timeline of expected progress and will let you know if we’re on track. If extra support is needed, we may suggest additional 16-session periods to reach the goal, understanding that every child’s journey is unique.

These steps are here to ensure you and your child get the most out of the program. With your commitment and our support, meaningful progress is well within reach.