{"id":790,"date":"2014-05-12T16:25:27","date_gmt":"2014-05-12T20:25:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neuroclinicbarrie.com\/?page_id=790"},"modified":"2014-05-12T16:25:27","modified_gmt":"2014-05-12T20:25:27","slug":"primary-reflexes-and-their-influence-on-behaviour","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/neuroclinicbarrie.com\/ru\/neurodevelopment\/articles\/primary-reflexes-and-their-influence-on-behaviour\/","title":{"rendered":"Primary Reflexes and Their Influence on Behaviour"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The neurodevelopmental approach is based on neuroplasticity: the central nervous system can be \u201crewired\u201d providing the proper stimulation. It addresses the behavioral and learning inefficiencies of an individual looking at the steps of brain development from the lower level (the foundation) to the highest centres (the roof). It considers which functions of the central nervous system (CNS) should be in place from birth to seven-years old (grade two) in order to be an efficient learner able to use his attention span and self-regulate his behavior. This approach looks at the \u201cinput\u201d of information coming from the visual, auditory, and tactile domains in order to yield the necessary quality \u201coutput\u201d in the manual, language, and mobility areas.<\/p>\n

The primary reflexes should be in place in the human body from conception. The reflexes emerge at different periods of the brain development. As they are integrated they give rise to more mature neurological functions. When these reflexes are not integrated, they yield inefficiencies in motor control, eye-hand coordination, sensory perception, emotional behaviour, attention, and\/or higher cognitive abilities.<\/p>\n

Neurodevelopmental Reflexes or Primary Reflexes<\/h3>\n

The term ‘stimulus-response arc’, or what is more commonly referred to as a reflex can be described as being a stereotyped response of the CNS to a specific stimulus of an individual. The nervous system’s organization is hierarchical moving from the lowest levels lodged in the spinal cord and brain stem, through the midbrain wincluding the limbic system, toward the highest levels which are the cortex for processing and the pre-cortex to manage self-control. This neurological organization develops through movement patterns in stages from conception to the toddler. These reflexes are called primitive reflexes.\u2028\u2028The primitive reflexes present from conception are organized in a hierarchy. These reflexes allow the baby to make body movements. When these movements are done in the right proportion and the proper sequence, they contribute to inhibit these primitive reflexes and give place to higher neurological organizations called ‘functions’. The higher functions of the CNS relate to learning (memory, ability to categorize, logic) and to attention span (arousal and inhibition).\u2028\u2028Let me give you an analogy. Lets pretend that the brain is a building with a phone relay in its center (thalamus). Over the years, the electric connections are used then replaced by newer ones. However, if certain connections are not removed because they have not been used enough, the actual phone relay may still have connections from 1950 which makes the whole system inefficient. When the primitive reflexes are not integrated we find their manifestations in children who struggle with different forms of learning.\u2028\u2028Sally Goddard from the Institute of Neuro-physiological Psychology has done an amazing work in this area of primary reflexes. Let us look at the most commonly active reflexes found in children with learning and attention inefficiencies.<\/p>\n

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Note:<\/strong> The four pictures on this page illustrate some of the favorite positions characteristic of people (children, teens and even adults) when these reflexes are not integrated. This lack of integration keeps the person from reaching the maturity of postural reflexes that is a step further in the integration of higher levels of organization of the central nervous system.<\/p>\n

Neurodevelopmental Reflexes
(Primary Reflexes)<\/h3>\n

The term \u201cstimulus-response arc,\u201d or what is more commonly referred to as a \u201creflex,\u201d can be described as being an automatic response of the CNS to a specific stimulus. The central nervous system is the only hierarchical system of the body. The nervous influx enters the brainstem from the spinal cord (via the reticular formation), to the midbrain (including the limbic system), to the cortex which is responsible for sensori-motor processing and association. The pre-cortex is the final step in that hierarchy and manages planning and self-control.<\/p>\n

This neurological organization develops in stages, hierarchy, through movement patterns from conception to the toddler years. These reflexes are called primary reflexes. These reflexes allow the baby to make body movements. When these movements are done in the right proportion and the proper sequence, they contribute to integrating these primitive reflexes and give place to higher neurological organization called \u201cfunctions.\u201d The higher functions of the CNS relate to learning (memory, ability to categorize, logic), to attention span (arousal and inhibition) leading ideally to self-regulated behaviour.<\/p>\n

Here is an analogy to help you understand. Let\u2019s pretend that the brain is a building with a phone relay in its center (thalamus). Over the years, the electric connections are used, then replaced by newer ones. However, if certain connections are not removed because they have not been used enough, the phone relay will have connections from 1950 that make the whole system inefficient. When the primary reflexes are not integrated, we find their manifestations in children who struggle with different forms of learning, attention span, and behaviour dis-regulation.<\/p>\n

\u201cNon-integrated primitive movement patterns or reflexes force a person to function on a survival level. Survival leads to a narrowing of the attention span, lack of \u201ccause and effect\u201d in thinking, and poor spontaneous control of movements, skills and behaviour. As a result of this limited experience, a person automatically chooses \u201cfreezing\u201d or \u201cfight and flight\u201d defense strategies for organizing his thinking and behaviour. The \u201cchoice\u201d at a higher reasoning level is not available for this person, and they demonstrate lower motivation for learning and achievement.\u201d<\/em> – Svetlana Masgutova, Russian psychologist, Integration of Infant Dynamic and Postural Reflex Patterns<\/p>\n

Sally Goddard from the Institute of Neuro-Physiological Psychology has done amazing work in the area of primary reflexes. Let us look at five reflexes that are most commonly found \u201cnon-integrated\u201d in people with different cognitive and emotional issues.<\/p>\n

Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR)<\/h3>\n

The Fear Paralysis Reflex is a withdrawal reflex that emerges in the embryonic stage. During this .stage the embryo reacts to stress and stimulation by withdrawing and freezing. As the foetus’ tactile awareness develops, withdrawal upon contact gradually lessens. It is thought that this reflex is the first step in learning to cope with stress. Ideally, the FPR merges into the Moro reflex and has become inactive before birth. If the FPR is not fully integrated at birth it may contribute to life-long challenges related to fear. People with the FPR active may often be very anxious and tend to veer towards negativity which can prevent them from easily moving forward to living a meaningful, interactive life. An active FPR often goes hand-in-hand with an un-integrated Moro reflex.<\/p>\n

Symptoms suggesting that the FPR is not integrated:<\/h4>\n