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How Can Persistent Primary Reflexes Affect a Child?

Some difficulties in movement, learning or behaviour are not just a “phase”.

They may be related to primary reflexes that should naturally have been inhibited during early development.

Below are the areas where these difficulties most commonly appear.

(Detailed information about primary reflexes and their connection with learning and behaviour can also be found on our website www.CortexAcademy.eu)

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The first signs can often appear as early as infancy:

  • difficulty with tummy time around 3 months of age

  • frequent startle responses, restlessness

  • feeding or sleep difficulties

  • a constant need to be rocked

  • arching the body into a “bow” when turning

  • skipping crawling or creeping

  • asymmetrical crawling or dragging one leg

  • standing and walking very early

How Can This Show Up Later?

If primary reflexes persist, the signs often begin to affect other areas:

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Motor Skills and Posture

  • poorer balance and coordination

  • difficulty learning to ride a bike

  • flat feet, a protruding abdomen

  • scoliosis

  • poorer fine motor skills

  • speech and pronunciation difficulties

  • unstable eye movements (difficulties with reading)

  • difficulty sitting still, constantly “fidgeting” in the chair

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Learning

  • tense or awkward pencil grip

  • slower or more difficult graphomotor skills

  • poorer hand–eye coordination

  • difficulty remembering letters

  • difficulties with maths and numbers

  • poorer orientation in time and space

  • difficulties with reading

  • inconsistent performance

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Attention and Emotional Well-Being

  • easily distracted

  • fluctuating attention

  • sometimes seems not to be listening or aware

  • hyperactivity or, on the contrary, low activity levels

  • difficulty coping with stress

  • resistance to change

  • learning difficulties may occur

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Emotions and Self-Regulation

  • rapid emotional outbursts

  • difficulty calming down

  • low frustration tolerance

  • mood fluctuations

  • anxiety

  • challenging behaviour after school

  • sleep difficulties

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Sensory Processing

  • sensitivity to noise, light or the surrounding environment

  • discomfort with touch (clothing, hair brushing)

  • or, on the contrary, a need for deep pressure

  • insecurity with heights or movement

  • a need to spin or rock

  • selective eating (textures, smells)

  • frequent chewing on objects

  • unclear body signals (e.g. toileting needs, unexplained stomach aches)

What Does This Mean?

One sign on its own does not necessarily mean anything.

However, if several of these signs occur together and persist over time, it may be worth considering whether persistent primary reflexes could be one of the underlying causes.

What Can You Do About It?

You may already have tried different approaches – exercises, speech therapy or changes at school.

But if the difficulties keep returning or do not improve, it may make sense to look more closely at their underlying cause.

Find out how we work and how we can support you. Visit the Cortex Help page – How We Work:

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