09/08/2026
Retained reflexes may hinder a child’s progress and make certain skills harder to achieve. When challenges persist despite practice and intervention, we must also look beyond the observable difficulty and consider possible underlying factors.
Early identification and appropriate support can help build stronger foundations for learning, movement, and participation. 💗🌳
Retained Reflexes: Looking Beyond the Observable Difficulty
Sometimes, despite consistent practice and intervention, a child may continue to struggle with certain skills. Retained primitive reflexes may be one factor worth considering when looking at challenges involving posture, balance, coordination, attention, sensory regulation, handwriting, and participation in daily activities.
Primitive reflexes are expected to change as the nervous system develops. When concerns persist, we should look beyond the visible difficulty and consider the underlying factors affecting occupational performance.
As occupational therapists, our goal is not simply to teach a skill repeatedly. We assess the child as a whole and identify possible barriers that may be affecting participation and progress.
💗 Don’t just look at what the child cannot do—look at what may be making the task difficult.
Early identification, appropriate assessment, and evidence-informed intervention can help us build stronger foundations for learning and participation.
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