Primitive Reflexes

Teaching Neurodevelopmental Movements Welcome Brain and Sensory Foundations • OTs, PTs, • Vision and Speech Therapists Neurodevelopmental Movement for • Parents and Educators Physical, Emotional, Social and Learning Skills • Pain specialists, Trauma specialists • Mental Health counselors • Learning specialists Please have a water bottle, mats and pillow ready • Healthcare professionals

for doing movement on the floor • Yoga Therapists • Massage Therapists

• Caregivers Write your name on your manual • Coaches • Performance optimization

Course Overview Common Challenges

• Rhythmic Movements • Anxiety • Frustration • Reflexes • Lack of focus, under functioning • Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) • Lack of impulse control • Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflexes (STNR) • Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) • Difficulty learning • Hands and Feet Reflexes • Emotional outbursts • Spinal Galant Reflex • Sensitivities to touch, sound, light, motion, smells • Moro Reflex • Inability to be still • Fear Paralysis Reflexes • Speech, auditory and visual challenges • Headrighting Reflexes • Pain, tension, fatigue

• Poor posture, poor core strength • Special Tools—PACE, Heart Coherence, Balance Process, Support Repatterning Sequence, Joint Compression, Core • Poor balance Activation • Developmental Movements, Play and Games Many children are not physically or neurologically ready to accomplish the tasks we ask of them moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Neurodevelopmental Movements are fundamental to building our structural alignment, core strength—and brain maturity Sitting Then Photographs are from Natural Posture for Pain-Free Living (2013) and Sad Dog Happy Dog: How Poor *Photographs from Natural Posture for Pain-Free Living (2013) and Sad Dog Happy Dog: How Poor Posture Affects Your Child’s Health (2010) by Kathleen Porter. www.naturalposturesolutions.com Posture Affects Your Child’s Health (2010) by Kathleen Porter. www.naturalposturesolutions.com

Sitting Now Sitting Now Photographs are from Natural Posture for Pain-Free Living (2013) and Sad Dog Happy Dog: How Poor Photographs are from Natural Posture for Pain-Free Living (2013) and Sad Dog Happy Dog: How Poor Posture Affects Your Child’s Health (2010) by Kathleen Porter. www.naturalposturesolutions.com Posture Affects Your Child’s Health (2010) by Kathleen Porter. www.naturalposturesolutions.com

moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Standing Now Standing Then *Photographs from Natural Posture for Pain-Free Living (2013) and Sad Dog Happy Dog: How Poor *Photographs from Natural Posture for Pain-Free Living (2013) and Sad Dog Happy Dog: How Poor Posture Affects Your Child’s Health (2010) by Kathleen Porter. www.naturalposturesolutions.com Posture Affects Your Child’s Health (2010) by Kathleen Porter. www.naturalposturesolutions.com

Autism: Head Lag and Autism moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story The Movement-Sensing Perspective “Head lag was significantly associated with autism spectrum disorder at 36 [months]”* *Flanagan, J. E., Landa, R., Bhat, A., & Bauman, M. (2012). Head lag in infants at risk for autism: • “Therapeutic A preliminary study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(5), 577-585 interventions ideally should build on core principles of neurodevelopment.”

• Elizabeth Torres and Caroline Whyatt, Editors

• CRC Press, October 2017, Series, Frontiers in Neuroscience Healthy Baby Compromised Baby Photo from Kathleen Porter, author of Healthy Posture for Babies and Children. naturaltothecore.wordpress.com moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

Healthy Baby Healthy Baby Neurodevelopmental Movements—REQUIRED Not Optional, for normal development Profound Transformation with Innate Movements

Innate movements of womb and infancy

• Develop sensory processing, brain maturity

• Ability to speak and learn with ease

• Have upright posture, strength and stamina

• Develop emotional and cognitive skills Drawings Submitted by Nina Gallwey, Remedial Education Teacher, Siskiyou School, Oregon

Before participating in a movement program, the 81⁄2-year-old student who drew these pictures struggled with selective mutism. With regular rhythmic movement, this student’s strides amazed her speech therapist: she now reads aloud in class and joined her school’s Drama Club.

Profound Transformation with Innate Movements Brain Tune- Up pages 18-19

1. Water 2. Brain Buttons 3. Cross Crawl

Drawings Submitted by Nina Gallwey, When there is emotional upset, go Remedial Education Teacher, Siskiyou School, directly to Wrap-Ups, first position Oregon

moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Illustrations © Morgan Humphreys Davis, PT Mind and Motion 907-209-7133 [email protected] The Power of the PACE for Anxiety What to do if someone is Reduction—Doctoral Thesis Report Jan Irving, PhD dysregulated by movement • First year nursing students Decrease in • In some instances, the Rhythmic and/or Reflex • Purpose of study— determine the effect of Group Self-Reported Increase in Integration activities may trigger reactions of the PACE process on self- Anxiety Performance dizziness, nausea or intense emotion. If this occurs: reported anxiety and on performance With 69.5% 18.7% PACE Reduction in Increase in • Stop, rest and offer any of the following: • Five Week baseline data self-reported performance • Hook ups established high levels of anxiety on skills tests anxiety and some • Brain Buttons students were failing the weekly skill tests. No No consistent Higher failure • Positive Points (ESR points, touch frontal eminence) intervention behavior rate • Water • Oregon State University, change Corvallis, OR

Importance of Rhythm Rhythmic Movements for • Rhythm is fundamental to our development, learning and well-being Brain Connectivity

• Breathing Stimulation of the RAS and Cerebellum grows the brain • Heart Rate & develops the nerve networks to “link up” the brain. • Mature movement • Learning • Speaking All depend on rhythm

Rhythm Movements are especially helpful for calming, reflex integration, brain connectivity (maturity), sensory integration.

In RMT we learn to draw out the innate rhythm of the one we are working with.

ASK FOR FEEDBACK when giving rhythmic movements in passive form. Passive rocking movements should always be done in a way that is pleasant for both giver and receiver. For those who are non-verbal, look at The RAS receives sensory information—tactile, The Cerebellum is responsible for many motor facial expression, change in breathing, relaxation response. visual, balance, proprioceptive, auditory—and and cognitive functions. It is 10% of brain relays it to the Cortex. Responsible for volume and holds nearly 80% of the brain’s moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story “wakefulness” alertness, attention total neurons. Before and After Innate Rhythmic Movements Before and After Innate Rhythmic Movements

Submitted by Lisa Muir BSc hons OT

After 15 minutes of innate rhythmic movement His first session of R.M (read marble and not mardull)

Before and After Innate Rhythmic Movements Before and After Innate Rhythmic Movements

Submitted by Lisa Muir BSc hons OT

After 15 minutes of innate rhythmic movement 5 year old girl, presenting with motor planning / coordination concerns. Also her first session of R.M – This is a little girl who not long before this cried in my 6 year old boy, with inattentive behaviors, poor posture and ocular motor concerns. movement class, looking down at her legs, “they don’t work!” After, 15 minutes of R.M. Also his first session. Truly that was his posture after! moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Infant Rhythmic Movements Establish Brain Connectivity Eight month twins rocking in sync! • Brain Stem to Limbic and Cortex— connections for: • attention/focus • impulse control • emotional development • ability to filter sensory information • sensory processing of all kinds • Cerebellum to Cortex—connections for • Attention/focus • mature eye movements • speech development • learning/memory, speed of information processing • reading comprehension Lucinda Ruh. Published on Feb 5, 2013 on YouTube. moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

History and Results Rhythmic Movement Training Rhythmic Movement Training • Mary Gazca, dissertation for Master’s Degree, St. Catherine University RMT is a combination of innate rhythmic movements and primitive and • Rebooting Development with a Rhythmic Motor Intervention, May 2012 postural reflex integration movements derived from the movements babies do • Evaluative online survey of individuals using RMT for 3 months minimum with in the womb and early infancy children with developmental disorders Infancy is the time in our lives when the Reducing Increasing Increasing Ability brain grows the fastest Distractibility Attention/focus to complete tasks Brain growth is driven by 85.8 % agree 92.1% agree 86.8 % agree neurodevelopmental movements • Kerstin Linde Reducing Reducing Reducing sensitivity to sensitivity to sensitivity to • Harald Blomberg, MD sound touch motion • Moira Dempsey 57.2 % agree 77.3% agree 76.3% agree moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

Infant Rhythmic Movement establishes calm, organization, Rhythmic Movement Training and maturity in the brain and sensory systems

• Rhythmic Movements stimulate & integrate the senses, especially • Mary Gazca, dissertation for Master’s Degree, St. Catherine University • Vestibular (Balance) • Proprioception (Awareness of body position in space) • Rebooting Development with a Rhythmic Motor Intervention, May 2012 • Tactile • Rhythmic Movements develop & mature the brain Improving Balance Improving Motor Integrating • New neural pathways-more branching of neurons Coordination Primitive Reflexes • Myelination-fatty coating along the nerve that speeds transmission time of neural impulses • Linking up of parts of the brain 89.6 % agree 92.3 % agree 93.1 % agree • The Magic of Brain Connectivity—Impulse control, attention, emotional maturity, sitting still—brain maturity, is required for all of Relaxing muscle Reducing Reducing these. RMT matures the brain by building connections! tension anxiety aggression • Brain Maturity is required to access the “thinking brain” for math, reading comprehension, speech and language development, proper 94.8 % agree 87.5 % agree 78 % agree eye movements, making good decisions, foresight, planning, memory, managing the emotions. moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

Research Highlights Research Highlights • Rhythmic Stimulation • Rhythmic Stimulation

Neural connectivity, music, and movement: a response to Pat Amos • Rhythm for helping with ASD. Eric Barnhill, Front Integr Neurosci. 2013; 7: 29. Amos, Pat, Rhythm and Timing in Autism: Learning to Dance. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, Vol. 7 (27). 2013 Paraphrased:

• Rhythm for helping with rehab after stroke. Hayden, R., Clair, A., “Rhythmic intervention has the Johnson, G., Otto, D., 2009& Doidge, Norman, The Brain That Changes Itself, potential to be a powerful intervention. Viking, 2007. The broader one's investigation into neurobiology, the more the arguments • Rhythm for helping with rehab for this view accumulate.” from Parkinsons Kadivar, Z., Corcos, D., Foto, J., Hondzin- ski, J., 2011

moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Research Highlights—Rhythmic Stimulation Important Principles Hardy MW and LaGasse AB (2013) Rhythm, movement, and autism: using rhythmic rehabilitation Applying Innate Rhythmic Movements research as a model for autism. Front. Integr. Neurosci. 7:19. doi: 10.3389/fnint. 2013.00019

• Facilitator watches and gets feedback from child/client

• Optimal positions, rhythm, strength, etc., are what the recipient says are most comfortable

• Movements are individualized, in-context, not done as a ‘recipe’ or protocol

• Less is more

• Transitions from passive to active may take time; pause

Primitive Reflexes Expanded Definition Definition and Lifecycle of a Primitive Reflex • Innate, automatic movement • Primitive Reflexes, Expanded Definition pattern in response to a specific stimulus • Traditional definition from 1900s: Stereotypical, unchanging movement pattern that always occurs in response to a specific • Reflexes help with survival, stimulus. protection, sensory integration, brain growth & development • Expanded Definition • Incorporates the traditional definition, except for the word • Primitive infant reflexes are “always”. designed to • Also applies to any emotional or physiological response that is • Emerge maladaptive or stressful after stimulation. • Repeat until integrated (jobs are complete) • Whatever we call them, working with these movement • Become dormant—inhibited by higher patterns is still important and beneficial brain centers

Infant Movements Associated with Reflexes Have Jobs Language Development

• Brain and Nerves –reflexes develop the brain and nerve networks to “link up” the J. Child Lang. 37 brainstem with mid-brain and neocortex. (2010), 229–261. f • Senses—reflexes provide stimulation necessary for development of Tactile, Cambridge University Press Vestibular, Proprioceptive, Visual and Auditory Processing 2010 • Balance and Posture—ability to be upright, free of tension. doi:10.1017/ S0305000909990432 • Muscle Tone, Muscle Strength, Stamina Developing language in a • Movement and Motivation—develop volitional movement with coordination. developing body: Relates to motivation & moving forward to attain goals. the relationship between motor • Emotional and Social Skills—learning to manage the emotions, control impulses and development and get along with others language development* • Speech—“speech is a sensory-motor skill” JANA M. IVERSON, University of • Learning Skills—reflexes develop the foundation for learning skills. Pittsburgh moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

Un-integrated Reflexes Integrated Reflexes

• An integrated childhood reflex is one which has • “Locked” in the system. completed its function and is no longer triggered by its initial stimulus. • The degree to which reflexes are un-integrated can vary greatly from mild to severe. • Integrated reflexes are the basis of future neuro-sensory- motor skills • Reflex activity that is not integrated can • In the process of integration, reflexes merge into other adversely affect quality of physical, cognitive, reflexes and/or into voluntary movements social and emotional function.

• These are the same innate movements that develop the brain, body and sensory systems of all humans in the first place.

• The brain recognizes and responds to these innate movements.

• Doing neurodevelopmental movement ‘reboots’ and develops the brain and sensory system at ANY age.

• Neuro-movement diminishes the Freeze, Fight or Flight response—it is calming, organizing and maturing for the brain, body and sensory systems moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

Possible Challenges with Possible Causes of Un-integrated Reflexes Un-Integrated Reflexes • Reflexes are the building blocks of the neuro-sensory-motor system—without the foundation there can be learning, social-emotional, and behavioral challenges • Lack of Movement—Plastic car carriers, walkers, jumpers, swings, baby seats, "Boppy" pillow and other propping devices. Lack of time spent on belly from birth on. • Keeps the “survival brain” (brainstem) active—child is more likely to have impulse control issues and emotional reactivity issues. • Stressful Pregnancy—mother has Injury, Illness, trauma, chronic stress, exhaustion, exposure to toxins • Nervous system is immature and in a ‘raw’, vulnerable state • Electromagnetic Frequencies—cell phones, cordless phones, microwaves, Ultrasound—may • “Fight or Flight” response is often triggered leading to chronic stress, health challenges interfere with womb reflexes and development • Environmental Toxins—heavy metals, endocrine disruptors, GMO foods, hidden MSG in food, • Sensory systems are immature, Sensory Processing Disorders aspartame and other food additives, plastics, pesticides, herbicides, fragrances and other neurotoxins. • Body parts do not move independently—brainstem “static” • Dietary Imbalances or sensitivities—Improper gut flora, leaky gut, food intolerance

• Muscle aches and tension, fatigue—too much effort to move, do tasks—hinders • Physical/Emotional Trauma in Early Infancy—trauma in early infancy can trigger, FPR and Moro learning. Reflex, examples, C-Section, Ultrasounds, Vaccine Trauma, Circumcision • Lack of solid neuro-sensory-motor-vestibular foundation—prevents brain and body • Injury, Physical/Emotional Trauma—later in life can re-activate dormant reflexes even if they from maturing properly were integrated moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Research Highlights Research Highlights • Unintegrated Reflexes Associated with Dysfunction, part 1 • Unintegrated Reflexes Associated with Dysfunction, part 2

Retained primitive reflexes are common in children and adults with challenges: • Retained primitive reflexes are commonly found in: • Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) (Goddard Blythe, S., 2009) • Frontal lobe disease • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Konicarova, J., Bob, P., Raboch, J., 2013) • Parkinson’s disease • Dyslexia (McPhillips, M., Jordan-Black, J. A., 2007) • Dementias • Schizophrenia (Hyde, T. M., Goldberg, T. E., Egan, M. F., Lener, M. C., Weinberger, D. R., 2007). • Advanced HIV infection

• Reappearance of primitive oral-facial reflexes in nursing home patients • Stephen McGee, MD was associated with challenges in eating function, risk of malnutrition, and risk of developing aspiration pneumonia (Hobo, K., Kawase J., Tamura, F., • Citation: McGee, S. R. (2007). Evidence-based physical diagnosis. St. Louis. Groher, M., Kikutani, T., Sunakawa, H., 2014). Mo.: Saunders/Elsevier.

Research Highlights Research • Retained Primitive and Postural Reflexes • Retained Reflexes go Hand in Hand with ADHD

• Primitive Reflexes and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Retained primitive reflexes and underdeveloped postural reflexes Developmental Origins of Classroom Dysfunction—International Journal associated with: of Special Education, vol. 19, no. 1, 2004 abnormal muscle tone poor postural control • “Results indicated that boys diagnosed with ADHD had significantly poor coordination higher levels of reflex retention than non-diagnosed boys.” (Fiorentino, M., 1972; Goddard, S., 2005) • Results also indicated direct and indirect relationships between Extensive studies explore this relationship in individuals with cerebral palsy retention of reflexes with ADHD symptoms. and with other known neurological conditions such as stroke. Retained reflexes less severe than typical in cases of brain injury can also drive less severe changes in muscle tone and postural control; these reflex-driven tonal and postural changes may still significantly affect function. (Kohen-Raz, R., 1986; Goddard, S., 2005)

moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Research Research • Retained Reflexes go Hand in Hand with Learning Challenges Motor Issues Are Core Characteristic of ASD and ADHD

• The effect of the Primary Movement programme on academic • “Retained Primitive Reflexes in ADHD and ASD performance of children attending ordinary primary school—Journal among Children in an Inpatient Psychiatric of Research in Special Education, vol. 5, issue. 3, 2005 Setting” • “It was found that ATNR persistence was significantly associated with level of attainments in reading, spelling and mathematics . . .” • Research by Dr. Khiela Holmes, PhD, Pamela Handloser, OTR/L and Diane Hanley, OTR/L • Barbara Rider, 1971, University of Kansas— University of Arkansas for Medical Science, • “Significantly more abnormal reflexes in the learning disabled group than the normal Psychiatric Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, group.” June 2016.

• Miriam Bender, University of Purdue— • “90.3% of the sample had at least one retained reflex present” • STNR was present in 75 percent of a group of children with learning disabilities, but not present in any of the children without a history of learning disabilities. moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

Research Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex pages 29-33 • Does Neurodevelopmental Movement Help? YES!

TLR forward • The effect of the Primary Movement programme on academic Stimulus and Movement Patterns performance of children attending ordinary primary school—Journal of Research in Special Education, vol. 5, issue. 3, 2005

• “It was found that the movement intervention programme had a very significant impact on reducing the levels of ATNR persistence . . . Associated with very TLR Forward—When head tips forward, trunk, arms and legs flex, or significant improvements in reading and mathematics, in particular.” bend.

Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Randomized, Individually Matched Study: TLR backward • Effects of replicating primary-reflex movements on specific reading difficulties in children. Lancet: 355, 537–41, 2000. TLR Backward—When head tips backward, trunk, arms and legs extend or straighten. • The greatest improvement in reading occurred in the experimental group that received the reflex integration training. Writing speed also improved in the experimental group. moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex

Possible Challenges if TLR is Un-integrated Labyrinthine refers to the labyrinths of the inner ear, structures involved in balance and hearing • Balance Problems; motion sickness • Weak neck and core muscles Functions of TLR • Shrunken posture • Practice adapting to Gravity • Head control • Low muscle tone; over flexible joints • Development of balance • Problems lifting arms, climbing • Increases and organizes muscle tone • Visual Challenges • Development of vestibular sense and proprioception • Difficulty judging distance, depth, space and speed • Development of coordination and proper posture • Tense muscles; Toe walking • Head alignment for sensory integration • Co-ordination problems

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex pages 39-44

Stimulus and Movement Pattern On hands and knees Functions of STNR Stimulus, head flexes. With head down, arms bend, legs move • Lift up off the ground (against gravity) to facilitate towards straight (extension) kneeling, sitting and crawling on hands and knees • Develops proper posture Stimulus, Head extends. With head up (bent backward), arms extend, • Visual training—especially near to far vision, or straighten, legs flex or bend. accommodation

Position of head determines arm • Helps to further integration of TLR and leg position • Strengthens muscles of back, neck, and arms • Connection of visual, proprioceptive and vestibular Arms and legs are automatically moving opposite to one another— systems to work together required for lifting up from floor for crawling © Sonia Story, 2007-2010 moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex

Possible challenges with an Un-integrated STNR

• Slumped Posture—difficulty holding head up while sitting • Weak muscle tone, especially in upper arms • Poor hand-eye coordination • Squirming or fidgeting; discomfort sitting and standing • Headaches from chronic muscle tension • Difficulty writing and reading • Vision disorders • Poor hand-eye coordination • Clumsy, messy eater • Difficulty copying from a chalkboard • Tendency to sit in W-position

Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex pages 34-38 Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex

Stimulus and Movement Pattern Functions of ATNR Stimulated by rotation of the head to one side. • Develops proprioceptive, vestibular and tactile senses • Especially after birth, develops hearing and vision When the head turns to one side the arm and leg of the face side extend and the opposite arm and • Development of laterality and midline awareness leg flex. • Increases and organizes muscle tone • Eye-hand coordination “Archer’s Pose” or “Fencer’s Pose”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxrnFKwKJUc

¥ Motor • Possible challenges of an Un-integrated ATNR Deficits in Children • Dyslexia and other learning challenges with Autism Spectrum • Difficulty with crossing midline, working in midfield Disorder: A cross- • Gross and fine motor challenges syndrome study • Coordination & balance issues

• Visual challenges ¥ Martin McPhillips, Jennifer Finlay, Susanne Bejerot, • Handwriting challenges Mary Hanley • Poor processing, poor specialization and poor ¥ Autism Res. 2014 Dec;7(6): 664-76. doi: 10.1002/aur. communication between hemispheres 1408. Epub 2014 Sep 24. • Messy eater; clumsy, prone to accidents/injury.

Boy Sleeping in ATNR position Characteristics of ADD/ADHD

• Hyperactivity • Fidgets or squirms • Unable to easily sit still • “on the go”, as if driven by a motor • Often talks excessively The first 2 years of life are crucial for formation of nerve nets • Impulsivity This process does not happen by itself • Blurts out answers before question is finished • Trouble waiting one’s turn The brain needs stimulation from the senses for branching off and • Often interrupts or intrudes on others activities myelination to occur. The stimulation the brain receives in the first year of life is fundamental. ADD/ADHD is fundamentally a lack of brain maturity. Brain maturity is built through neurodevelopmental movement moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

What to do if someone is dysregulated by movement Brain Tune- Up pages 18-19

• In some instances, the Rhythmic and/or Reflex Integration activities may trigger reactions of dizziness, nausea or intense emotion. If this occurs:

• Stop, rest and offer any of the following: 2. Brain Buttons 3. Cross Crawl • Hook ups 1. Water • Brain Buttons • Positive Points (ESR points, frontal eminence on When there is emotional upset, go forehead above eyebrow) directly to Wrap-Ups, first position • Water

Grasp and Palmar-Babkin pages 45-50 Grasp and Palmar-Babkin • Functions of Grasp Reflex Grasp Reflex • Development of use of hands—manual dexterity Develops in the womb. Stimulated by tactile • Development of Brain Pathways input on the upper palm of the hand. Fingers curl and grasp the object in the palm. • Functions of Palmar-Babkin Reflex • Development of use of hands, mouth, nursing and • Palmar /Babkin Reflex later, self feeding • Stimulated by touch on the middle of the • Development of Brain Pathways palm. Fingers curl and grasp the object in • Important for articulation the palm (Palmar). As well, the Babkin response may occur: head drops, mouth • Development of pleasure and joy associated with opens with stimulus to the middle of palm. eating and using the mouth moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

Hand Reflexes Review Grasp and Palmar-Babkin Importance of Integrating Reflexes • Poor Fine motor skills—Hindrance in ability to use hands—weakness of hand muscles • Foundation of the nervous system • Housed in the brainstem (survival brain) • Cramping in hands while writing • Associated with Fight or Flight • Movements of hands and mouth are connected • Body parts tied together • Muscle aches, tension, tone imbalances

• Challenges with articulation; speech difficulties; • Extra effort required to do tasks difficulties to perceive sound • Reflex “jobs” are not complete—results in • Compulsive chewing, nail biting, addictions immaturity of brain, body and sensory systems

moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Feet Reflexes—Plantar pages 51-54 Babinski Reflex Stimulation and Movement Pattern—stimulation on the bottom, lateral part of foot, from heel to baby toe, elicits big toe moving toward head, other toes fanning out. • Stimulation and Movement Pattern—stimulation to ball of foot elicits grasp of toes

• Function—develop brain pathways and muscles of the feet for crawling, standing walking, running

Feet Reflexes—Babinski Babinski Pages 51-54

• Functions of Babinski—helps integrate plantar reflex, prepares feet for crawling, standing, walking & balancing; influences ability to move feet, legs, hips, lumbar spine; helps facilitate crawling & muscle tone in the lower body.

• Possible Challenges • Difficulty walking and/or running • Loose ankles, easily sprained • Poor vestibular development; poor coordination; poor stability • May limp • Toe walking • Walking with toes pointed inward and on inside edges of feet • Flat footed, slow, do not like walking • Walking on outside edges of feet • Tension in feet, legs, hips, low back • Difficulty coordinating thought and movement moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Spinal Galant Reflex Babinski Reflex Video Credit Pages 63-66

• Stimulus and Movement Pattern—touch on the back near waist & Movies drawn from the Neurologic Exam and PediNeurologic Exam websites are used by permission of Paul D. Larsen, M.D., to the side of the spine elicits hip rotation toward that side. University of Nebraska Medical Center and Suzanne S. Stensaas, Ph.D., University of Utah School of Medicine. Additional materials Functions of Spinal Galant for Neurologic Exam are drawn from resources provided by • Assists with birthing Alejandro Stern, Stern Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Kathleen Digre, M.D., University of Utah; and Daniel Jacobson, process M.D., Marshfield Clinic, Wisconsin. Subsequent re-use of any • Helps develop belly materials outside of this program, presentation, or website crawling and hands and requires permission from the original producers. knees crawling • Conducts sound/vibration in the womb—helps vestibular development

Spinal Galant Reflex Spinal Galant

• Possible Challenges if Un-integrated • Restlessness, hyperactivity • Fidgeting, difficulty sitting still • Hypersensitivity to touch on the back or waist • Bedwetting past 5 years of age • Scoliosis when active on one side only • Unbalanced walk, leg tension, may hinder other reflexes • Rigid lumbar spine in older children & adults • Spastic colitis in adults (irritable bowel syndrome)

Could someone with un-integrated Spinal Galant reflex have difficulty concentrating? moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story © Sonia Story, 2007-2011 moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Headrighting Reflex Spinal Galant Reflex Video Credit Pages 67-69

Postural Reflex—once Functions of Headrighting developed, life-long, Movies drawn from the Neurologic Exam and PediNeurologic • Head Control Balance Exam websites are used by permission of Paul D. Larsen, M.D., does not go dormant. Remains unless there • Coordination University of Nebraska Medical Center and Suzanne S. Stensaas, is injury, trauma, Ph.D., University of Utah School of Medicine. Additional materials brain damage. • Visual Processing for Neurologic Exam are drawn from resources provided by • Assists in voluntary movement Alejandro Stern, Stern Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Kathleen Digre, M.D., University of Utah; and Daniel Jacobson, M.D., Marshfield Clinic, Wisconsin. Subsequent re-use of any Stimulus and Movement materials outside of this program, presentation, or website Pattern requires permission from the original producers. Stimulated by body tilt. Head moves in the opposite direction of the body tilt— forward, backward, left side, right side

Head Righting Reflex 5 Step Balance Process for Integration • 1. Goal or Intention • Possible Challenges if Un-integrated • Easily fatigued • 2. Act Out Goal and Activate Reflexes—notice • Poor Balance your experience • Poor Posture • 3. Movement and Play, Integration activities • Weak neck muscles • Difficulty concentrating, learning • 4. Support Repatterning Sequence • Visual Challenges • Muscle tension, especially in neck and shoulders • 5. Act out Goal—notice your experience • Poor stamina

moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story What to do if someone is Support Repatterning Sequence dysregulated by movement Modified from Brain Gym® formerly called “Repatterning or Reconnecting Sequence”

• In some instances, the Rhythmic and/or Reflex • Step 1—Puppet March (Homolateral Crawl) eyes Integration activities may trigger reactions of looking down dizziness, nausea or intense emotion. If this • Sept 2—Cross Crawl with hum, eyes looking up occurs: • Step 3—Integration, arms wide apart, bring together • Stop, rest and offer any of the following: and lace fingers • Hook ups • Brain Buttons • Step 4—Hook ups • Positive Points (ESR points, frontal eminence) • Step 5—Cross Crawl • Water

Fear Paralysis Reflex Fear Paralysis Reflex Early Uterine Reflex—ideally integrated before birth Early Uterine Reflex • FPR Stimulus and Movement Pattern—experts do not agree • Stimulated by fearful or unexpected events • Function • Withdrawal reflex linked to touch as stimulus • Restraint of movement; sudden noise; separation from mother, • Survival Response—protection from a threat sudden change of environment

• Some say stimulus is toxicity, happens on a cellular level with cell • Mechanism for coping with stress membranes shutting down Movement Pattern—Frozen rabbit, deer in headlights, • Possible Connection to SIDS animal ‘playing dead’ • Researcher, Birger Kaada • Response to stress or perceived threat • Freezing reaction, immobility, panic • Abnormal decrease in heart rate and breathing and or breath • Ideally as Moro Reflex emerges and integrates, holding FPR integrates and becomes dormant • Rapid withdrawal from touch; tightening of jaw and eye muscles; sometimes rapid blinking (curling into a frozen fetal position). moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Fear Paralysis Reflex Moro Reflex—Startle Response Pages 55-57 Also called “Infant Startle Reflex” Pages 58--62 • Possible Challenges with Un-Integrated FPR • Underlying anxiety, fears, phobias or constant overwhelm Emerges in utero, matured at • Low tolerance to stress or change birth and should be integrated at • Perfectionism, frustration, emotional outbursts the age of 3-4 months. • Loss of focus, difficulty making eye contact Stimulation—Sensory input from various sources can trigger a • Extreme shyness, fear in groups/extreme self- Moro reflex consciousness, low self esteem Movement Pattern—Rapid • Motor paralysis in stress opening and upward motion of • Rigidity, inflexibility, challenges with transitions arms and legs with sharp intake of breath & momentary freeze. • Obsessive, oppositional or aggressive behavior Arms and legs return to flexed • Elective mutism position, breath is released • Often linked to un-integrated Moro Reflex usually with a cry moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

Moro Reflex in Infancy Moro Reflex Video Credit

Movies drawn from the Neurologic Exam and PediNeurologic Exam websites are used by permission of Paul D. Larsen, M.D., University of Nebraska Medical Center and Suzanne S. Stensaas, Ph.D., University of Utah School of Medicine. Additional materials for Neurologic Exam are drawn from resources provided by Alejandro Stern, Stern Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Kathleen Digre, M.D., University of Utah; and Daniel Jacobson, M.D., Marshfield Clinic, Wisconsin. Subsequent re-use of any materials outside of this program, presentation, or website requires permission from the original producers.

moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story Moro Reflex Possible Health Challenges Linked to Un-Integrated Moro Reflex Stimulated by Sudden • Physiological Responses of • When the Moro reflex is triggered the stress hormones cortisol Moro and Fight or Flight Sensory Input—loud noise, and epinephrine (adrenaline) are secreted bright light, sudden change response in position, unexpected • Adrenaline and cortisol are • Over time, stress hormones cause: released touch, intense odor • Continuous stress and overwhelm • Increase breathing rate • Chronic muscle tension Functions of Moro • Increase in heart rate • Adrenal exhaustion; chronic fatigue First fight or flight • Increase in blood pressure • Immune deficiencies, asthma, allergies response • Blood goes to limbs and • Weak digestion Arouse & protect the baby; away from digestive organs alert caregiver • Headaches Plays a part in developing • Anxiety breathing

Other Possible Challenges with Un-Integrated Moro Reflex Supporting Research

• Sleep disturbances ¥ Infantile Reflexes Gone Astray in Autism Philip Teitelbaum,

• Reactive, emotional outbursts Osnat B. Teitelbaum, Joshua Fryman, and Ralph Maurer • Shyness, Social challenges (2004) • Sensory Issues—Hyposensitivity or Hypersensitivity to some or all sensory stimuli— sounds, light (big pupils), touch, vestibular input/motion, smells ¥ “ . . . movement disturbances in infants can be • Poor balance interpreted as reflexes gone astray and may be early

• Poor stamina indicators for a diagnosis of autism. In the children • Motion sickness reviewed some reflexes persist too long in infancy, • Visual and Learning Challenges whereas others first appear much later than they should.” • Difficulty adapting to change • Easily disturbed, easily distracted

Within about a month, Finn was able to tolerate the buzz cutter on his entire head, but he was still afraid of the vacuum cleaner. • 1. Goal or Intention Mom continued with rhythmic movement over the summer, and we recently added integration of the fear paralysis and Moro • 2. Act Out Goal and Activate Reflexes—notice reflexes. Now look—Finn is the one vacuuming! your experience Finn was completely dependent in dressing. Now he can dress himself, apart from some closures. • 3. Movement and Play, Integration activities When we started, Finn was unable to isolate finger movements and held his pencil in a dagger grasp. Now he can touch each fingertip to his thumb, and he holds his pencil in a good tripod • 4. Support Repatterning Sequence grasp. In January, he could sit in circle time about 30 seconds before he began throwing things and crawling over the other children. • 5. Act out Goal—notice your experience He can now usually participate meaningfully in group activities for 30-40 minutes, taking turns, following instructions and respecting other children’s space. moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story

Support Repatterning Sequence Help for Behavior Issues

OT is amazed at changes in 6 weeks

I had one of my patients begin doing the rhythmic movements [from the Online Brain • Step 1—Puppet March (Homolateral Crawl)— and Sensory Foundations course] 6 weeks ago. eyes looking down This child is 8 years old and attends a special school for emotionally and behaviorally “challenged children that can't attend regular —eyes looking up public education. When he gets frustrated at • Step 2—Cross Crawl with hum school, it typically results in a major melt down

with hitting, throwing desks and chairs, and yelling. He has had 4-5 adults holding him

• Step 3—Integration, arms wide apart, bring down on the floor at times. This boy has not together slowly and lace fingers had hardly any behavior or emotional outbursts like I described since he has “ started doing the rhythmic movements at home or at school. • Step 4—Hook ups He has already made great gains with balance, coordination, sensory processing, impulse control, and • Step 5—Cross Crawl—eyes moving around frustration tolerance and it has only been 6 weeks. Amazing!!

Help for ADD, Bedwetting, Reading & Writing Help for Learning Boy in 5th Grade finally gets foundations for reading

Our family has spent countless hours and dollars trying to help Jack with his reading, but nothing made a noticeable difference. “I am really amazed at how well these movements (from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course]

are helping my son Jack with reading. He told me last night that the movements have

helped him more with his reading than all of the actual reading work we have done at home since first grade. “ I told him that I prayed to God that I would find someway to help him and hours later I listened to your interview and I knew that God was directing me. Jennifer, Jack’s mom

Help for Sleep and Anxiety Boy, age 6

"I have been doing the rhythmic movements with my son everyday since taking your course. He now falls asleep easier and sleeps deeper. His anxieties have hugely diminished. For many months he could not be alone in the bathroom. Last week he stayed in the tub alone for more than 5 minutes happily singing to himself and playing. I couldn't believe it! It has only been a week since we began these movements." N Brady, Mom

Move On! Sample video, BSF Second Level Brain and Sensory Foundations, Second Level

• Innate Rhythmic Movements

• Reflexes • Spinal Perez • Landau • Amphibian and Crawling • Crossed-Extensor • Foot Tendon Guard (response) • Pull-to-Sit • Parachute • Facial-Oral

• Special Tools for Neck reflexes

• Extra Help for ATNR, Babinski, FPR

• Infant Torticollis protocol moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story moveplaythrive.com © 2019 Sonia Story An autistic girl, 8.5 months old, shows no allied protective reflexes when falling (e.g., extending the arms and hands out to protect herself from striking her head when falling toward the ground). Move On!

No allied protective [postural] reflexes when falling.

Photos from Philip Teitelbaum, et al. PNAS 1998; 95:13982-13987