Primitive Reflexes:

Primitive reflexes are innate movements or reactions that present after birth. They are involuntary motor responses that originate from the brain stem and exist to ensure survival. Primitive reflexes serve as foundational movements and as the body develops, they naturally fade away and are replaced by new reflexes.

The process of one reflex fading and another reflex taking its place is also known as “reflex integration”. Reflex integration is essential for the body to learn basic autonomic movements (movements your body does automatically) in order to develop neurological maturity and voluntary movements (movements you consciously tell your body to do). Reflexes that are not present or integrated interrupt the development of movement patterns and can be an indicator for developmental delay.