Touch, Movement and
Integrating Primitive Reflexes are
CRUCIAL for a child’s development

How this Program Started

As a pregnancy and pediatric focused chiropractor, over the past 25+ years I have taken countless seminars on pregnancy and pediatric adjusting. The course that made the biggest difference for me was The Connection between Brain, Behaviour and Body by Dr. Jenna Davis, DC.

The focus of the course was on primitive reflexes, how they develop and what can happen if they don’t integrate properly.

Kids who have retained primitive reflexes can have difficulties with learning and behaviour, and we can help using specific movements in a fun and effective way.

After lots of research, I’ve created a course that combines

  • Infant massage and the importance of touch

  • Specific movements that are important for brain development

This program is easy and fun to learn. It provides parents and caregivers with simple and effective ways to massage and move their babies to stimulate and integrate their primitive reflexes.

I hope that you will help the families in your practice know about this program.

The Five Pillars of Healthy Brain Development

The Best Beginnings program is based on five essential pillars of early child development. Together, they form the foundation for healthy brain, body, and emotional growth.

Each pillar highlights an important way that a developing mind is stimulated.

Touch

This is the infant massage part of the program. Infant massage provides many benefits for Baby and the person who is giving the massage. It helps to:

  • improve bonding and attachment

  • enhances sleep quality

  • improves breathing

  • decreases gassiness and fussiness

  • improves digestion and easier bowel movements

  • improves weight gain

Movement

Proper movement is key for brain development. This section discusses:

  • how sensory input and movement go together

  • Proprioception

  • the Vestibular System

  • the importance of tummy time

  • specific movements that will help to stimulate primitive reflexes

  • provides a movement and play section with suggestions for parents

Primitive
Reflexes

Integrating primitive reflexes is essential for brain development. In this section, there is

  • a beginner’s and a more advanced explanation of primitive reflexes

  • what primitive reflexes are

  • how primitive reflexes integrate

  • what happens if they don’t

  • 8 important primitive reflexes

  • specific behaviours and learning challenges that children and adults might experience if the primitive reflexes don’t integrate.

Rhythm

This section discusses:

  • rhythmic touch

  • rhythmic movement

  • rhythmic sounds

  • the importance of sound and how to use them to stimulate Baby’s language centres

  • how to use them to soothe babies to sleep

Sensory
Play

This section provides ideas for parents to help Baby to explore their world through their senses. It discusses:

  • the importance of sensory play

  • 5 important senses: touch, taste, smell, vision and hearing

  • the importance of making a mess

  • messy play and free play

  • sensory exposure that can cause harm, such as loud background noise and the sad beige esthetic

Top 5 Learning and Behaviour Challenges for Each Retained Primitive Reflex

Startle Reflex

  • mood changes

  • acts impulsively

  • afraid to try new things

  • trouble making friends

  • is often anxious, worried or nervous

Tonic Labrynthine Reflex - TLR

  • poor core strength

  • trouble with balance

  • difficulties focusing

  • clumsy or uncoordinated

  • difficulties playing ball sports

Plantar Reflex

  • grips the floor with toes when standing

  • loose ankles that sprain easily

  • doesn’t know where is in space

  • falls often

  • sensitive feet - doesn’t like socks or shoes

Rooting Reflex

  • sensitivity around the mouth

  • picky eater

  • messy eater

  • ongoing thumb sucking

  • difficulties speaking

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex - ATNR

  • did not crawl as a baby

  • robot-like gait

  • clumsy

  • holds a pencil too tight

  • mixes b’s and d’s when writing

Palmar Grasp Reflex

  • messy handwriting

  • awkward pencil grip

  • right and left confusion

  • thumb sucking after 18 months

  • eats with hands instead of a fork or spoon

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex - STNR

  • skipped crawling, or crawled commando-style

  • struggles with ball sports

  • slouches or leans when sitting, holds head up

  • difficulties focusing or paying attention

  • difficulty copying from the board

Spinal Galant Reflex

  • fidgety, unable to sit still

  • trouble with focus

  • difficulties with reading

  • bedwetting past the age of 5

  • ticklish, low back is very sensitive, will squirm when back touches a chair

The ultimate question is:

How many children who have
retained primitive reflexes could be misdiagnosed as having ADHD?

How to help your pediatric patients *

How to help your pediatric patients *

Please help your patients find Best Beginnings!

New parents are struggling to know how to hold, move and play with their babies. This program will give parents easy and fun things to do that will help Baby be more comfortable in their body and more engaged in their world.

Download this poster and put it in your treatment rooms

Thank you!