Every child’s brain, body, and nervous system are deeply connected through primitive reflexes that shape learning and development. Movement, emotion, focus, and learning all rely on a well-organized nervous system. When early movement patterns, called primitive reflexes, remain active beyond infancy, they can affect the way a child learns, behaves, feels, moves, and regulates emotions.

Our Advanced Sensory & Primitive Reflex Integration Therapy, led by occupational therapists (OTD), helps identify and support those underlying neurological patterns through gentle, structured movement and sensory-based activities. The goal is to improve the foundation for self-regulation, motor skills, attention, and overall development so that children can feel calmer, more coordinated, and more confident in daily life.

What Are Primitive Reflexes—and Why Do They Matter?

“Primitive reflexes” are automatic movement patterns present at birth. They play a crucial role in survival, bonding, and early development, helping infants build sensory awareness and strength for future milestones like crawling, standing, and walking.

These reflexes are meant to “integrate” during the first year of life and are replaced by voluntary, mature motor control. When a reflex remains active, known as a retained primitive reflex, it can place extra stress on a child’s nervous system. This can influence balance, coordination, emotional regulation, attention, and academic readiness. That’s where primitive reflex therapy comes in.

How Retained Primitive Reflexes May Affect Daily Life

Every child’s experience is unique, but retained primitive reflexes can contribute to a range of challenges, including:

• Emotional regulation difficulties or “big feelings” that seem hard to control
• Impulsivity, frustration, or low self-confidence
• Poor handwriting, coordination, or fine motor control
• Sensory sensitivities to sound, light, touch, or motion
• Trouble sitting still or maintaining attention (often mistaken for ADHD)
• Anxiety or difficulty calming down after stress
• Delays in gross-motor milestones such as skipping, catching, or jumping rope
• Clumsiness, low muscle tone, poor posture
• Slow to progress in delayed academic areas

Research has shown that addressing retained reflexes can improve motor planning, organization, and attention, and may also enhance cognitive processes that support reading, writing, and math.

Who Benefits from This Service?

This therapy can benefit children across a wide range of developmental and behavioral profiles, including but not limited to:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
• ADHD or ADD
• Emotional dysregulation
• Learning disabilities
• Gross or fine motor coordination difficulties

A formal diagnosis is not required. We welcome families seeking answers, support, and a gentle approach to improving their child’s well-being.

Our Approach at READ Learning

1. Family Inquiry

Families can contact us via the form below to schedule an initial consultation and intake meeting for a Sensory Regulation, Primitive Reflex Integration, or Executive Functioning Skills evaluation.

2. Comprehensive Evaluation

Our occupational therapist conducts a detailed assessment to identify retained reflexes, sensory processing patterns, and areas of difficulty with motor and self-regulation.

3. 15-Week Therapy Package

After the evaluation, families may enroll in a 15-week therapy program tailored to their child’s specific needs. Each plan includes one-on-one sessions, a home treatment plan with targeted movement activities, and ongoing communication with families to track progress and adjust strategies.

Services Offered

• Comprehensive Sensory Regulation Evaluation & Individualized Therapy
  Focuses on improving a child's response to sensory input (touch, movement, sound, light) to support emotional well-being and self-regulation.
• Comprehensive Primitive Reflex Evaluation & Individualized Therapy
  Identifies and addresses retained primitive reflexes through targeted movement and exercises to promote stronger coordination and cognitive processing.
• Executive Functioning Skills Diagnostic Evaluation & Individualized Therapy
  Builds awareness, organization, and planning skills through targeted support that helps children improve focus, self-control, work completion, follow-through, and daily independence.

Each service includes a home treatment plan to reinforce progress and promote continued growth outside therapy sessions.

Evidence-Based Benefits of Primitive Reflex Integration Therapy

Research suggests that addressing retained primitive reflexes can lead to improvements in:

• Emotional regulation and stress tolerance
• Attention and focus
• Fine and gross motor coordination
• Sensory processing and comfort with movement
• Self-confidence and independence
• Academic skills, including reading fluency, writing speed, and math sequencing

Our therapy combines neuroscience, movement science, and individualized care to help every child reach their potential.

A Supportive Path Forward for Families

Whether your child has a diagnosis or you simply feel that something “isn’t clicking”, our team is here to listen, assess, and guide you with expertise and empathy.

We believe that when a child’s sensory and motor systems are balanced, their ability to focus, learn, and connect with others naturally strengthens. We aim to help every child achieve greater calm, coordination, and confidence at home, in school, and in life.

Take the Next Step with READ Learning

If you’d like to learn more about how Advanced Sensory & Primitive Reflex Integration Therapy can support your child, we invite you to contact our team today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Together, we’ll create a therapy plan that meets your child exactly where they are and helps them move forward with confidence.

Click here to explore common questions about Primitive Reflex Integration Therapy