Signs Your Child May Have Retained Primitive Reflexes

It’s not uncommon for parents to notice things like toe walking, fidgeting, or poor handwriting in their children and assume they’re just “quirky” behaviors or part of growing up. But when these patterns persist, they could be signs of retained primitive reflexes,automatic movements developed in infancy that should fade as the brain matures. When reflexes don’t integrate properly, they can interfere with a child’s ability to focus, move efficiently, and self-regulate, which may impact their school performance, emotional regulation, and motor skills.

Some of the most common signs include poor balance and coordination, difficulty sitting still, sensitivity to light or sound, frequent bed-wetting, and trouble with fine motor tasks like handwriting. These symptoms can sometimes mimic or overlap with diagnoses like ADHD or sensory processing disorder, making them easy to overlook. However, retained reflexes like the Moro (startle) reflex, ATNR (asymmetrical tonic neck reflex), or STNR (symmetrical tonic neck reflex) could potentially be at the root of the issue, especially when multiple developmental concerns are present.

Chiropractic care can play a valuable role in helping the nervous system mature and reset these early patterns. Through gentle adjustments and reflex integration techniques, chiropractors can help support better posture, movement, and focus.