Primitive Reflexes

Primitive Reflexes in the Preschool Classroom (Ages 3–5) By Irene Hannam, MS OTR/L Primitive reflexes are some of the earliest movements babies use to survive and grow. They help with feeding, rolling, and early interaction with the world. By about one year of age, most reflexes fade as the brain matures. But sometimes they stick […]

Primitive Reflexes in Preschool Classrooms: Structured Supports for Students with Learning and Regulation Needs By Irene Hannam, MS OTR/L Why Talk About Primitive Reflexes in Special Education? Primitive reflexes are the automatic movements babies are born with—like grasping, rooting, or rolling. These reflexes should fade by around one year of age as the brain matures. […]

Primitive Reflex Integration: Bridging the Gap Between OT and Academic Achievement By Irene Hannam, MS OTR/L Why Primitive Reflexes Matter in School Participation: Despite rigorous handwriting drills and sensory diets, some students continue to struggle. Emerging literature pinpoints a hidden contributor: retained primitive reflexes that disrupt postural control, oculomotor stability, and executive functions essential for […]

Helping Kids Succeed: How Integrating Primitive Reflexes Can Boost Academic Skills at School and Home By Irene Hannam, MS OTR/L Introduction — Why Primitive Reflexes Still Matter: Primitive reflexes are the automatic survival movements that help newborns breathe, feed, and interact with gravity. They should fade within the first 12–18 months as higher brain centers […]