When parents think about school success, they often focus on reading, writing, math, and study skills. However, before children can effectively learn these academic skills, they need a strong foundation of underlying neurological abilities that allow them to pay attention, stay organized, manage emotions, and complete tasks independently.
These abilities are known as executive functioning skills.
At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic (CWJR), we often work with children who struggle with executive functioning challenges that impact their performance at school and home. One contributing factor that is frequently overlooked is the presence of retained primitive reflexes. Through Reflex Integration Therapy, therapists can help children build the neurological foundation necessary for improved attention, self-regulation, learning, and academic success.
What Are Executive Functioning Skills?
Executive functioning skills are the brain’s management system. These skills allow us to plan, organize, focus, remember information, regulate emotions, and complete tasks.
Executive functioning includes:
● Attention and concentration
● Working memory
● Organization
● Planning and prioritizing
● Task initiation
● Time management
● Impulse control
● Emotional regulation
● Flexible thinking
● Self-monitoring
These skills impact nearly every aspect of a child’s school day.
Children use executive functioning skills to:
● Follow multi-step directions
● Complete homework assignments
● Stay organized
● Transition between activities
● Participate in classroom routines
● Manage emotions
● Solve problems
● Work independently
When executive functioning skills are weak, school can become frustrating and overwhelming.
What Are Primitive Reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns that develop during infancy. These reflexes are essential for early survival and development. They help babies:
● Feed
● Move
● Explore their environment
● Develop foundational motor skills
As the nervous system matures, these reflexes should gradually integrate, allowing more advanced movement, learning, and self-regulation skills to develop.
However, some children retain primitive reflexes beyond infancy.
When retained reflexes remain active, they can interfere with higher-level neurological development, including executive functioning skills.
Common Retained Reflexes That Can Impact Learning
Moro Reflex
Often called the “startle reflex,” the Moro Reflex is activated by sudden changes in sensory input.
When retained, children may experience:
● Heightened anxiety
● Emotional reactivity
● Difficulty focusing
● Sensory sensitivities
● Poor stress tolerance
These challenges can make it difficult to remain calm and attentive in the classroom.
ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)
This reflex helps infants develop hand-eye coordination.
When retained, children may experience:
● Difficulty crossing midline
● Challenges with handwriting
● Trouble tracking while reading
● Poor coordination
● Difficulty copying from a board
These difficulties can directly affect classroom performance.
STNR (Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)
This reflex supports early crawling development.
When retained, children may have:
● Poor posture
● Difficulty sitting still
● Challenges maintaining attention
● Fidgeting behaviors
● Difficulty with desk work
Teachers often describe these children as constantly moving or struggling to stay seated.
TLR (Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex)
This reflex influences balance and body awareness.
When retained, children may experience:
● Poor balance
● Reduced body awareness
● Difficulty maintaining posture
● Challenges with motor planning
These challenges can impact both physical participation and classroom readiness.
How Retained Reflexes Affect Executive Functioning
Many executive functioning challenges begin long before a child enters school.
If the nervous system is constantly working to compensate for retained reflexes, fewer resources are available for higher-level thinking and learning.
Children may struggle with:
Attention
A child may appear distracted or inattentive because their nervous system is focused on managing sensory input rather than learning.
Working Memory
Children may have difficulty remembering instructions, completing assignments, or retaining information presented in class.
Emotional Regulation
Retained reflexes can contribute to heightened stress responses, making it difficult to manage frustration, disappointment, or unexpected changes.
Impulse Control
Children may struggle to pause before acting, interrupt conversations, or make thoughtful decisions.
Organization
Planning, prioritizing, and managing materials may feel overwhelming.
Task Completion
Children may start tasks but have difficulty finishing them without support.
How Reflex Integration Therapy Helps
Reflex Integration Therapy uses specific movement patterns and activities designed to help the nervous system mature and reduce the influence of retained primitive reflexes.
The goal is not simply to improve movement—it is to strengthen the neurological foundation that supports learning, behavior, and participation.
Improving Attention and Focus
As retained reflexes become less influential, children often demonstrate:
● Improved attention span
● Better classroom participation
● Increased ability to follow directions
● Reduced distractibility
Many families report that children are better able to stay engaged during learning activities.
Supporting Emotional Regulation
When the nervous system feels more organized, children often experience:
● Reduced anxiety
● Improved frustration tolerance
● Better coping skills
● Greater resilience during challenging situations
This emotional stability supports both academic and social success.
Strengthening Working Memory
Reflex integration activities help support the development of higher-level brain functions that contribute to:
● Remembering instructions
● Completing multi-step tasks
● Learning new information
● Following classroom routines
Working memory is one of the most important executive functioning skills for academic achievement.
Enhancing Motor Skills Needed for Learning
Many academic tasks rely on motor skills.
Reflex Integration Therapy can support:
● Handwriting
● Visual tracking
● Eye-hand coordination
● Postural control
● Fine motor development
These improvements often make classroom tasks feel easier and less frustrating.
Improving Self-Regulation
Self-regulation is the ability to manage emotions, behaviors, and attention. Children with improved self-regulation often demonstrate:
● Better decision-making
● Increased independence
● Improved classroom behavior
● Greater success with peer interactions
These skills are essential for both academic and lifelong success.
Who May Benefit from Reflex Integration Therapy?
Children who may benefit include those who experience:
● ADHD
● Executive functioning difficulties
● Sensory processing challenges
● Emotional regulation difficulties
● Poor attention and focus
● Learning challenges
● Handwriting difficulties
● Coordination difficulties
● Anxiety
● Difficulty sitting still
● Challenges following directions
Many children with these concerns may have retained primitive reflexes contributing to their struggles.
The Connection Between Reflex Integration and School Success
Academic success is about much more than intelligence.
Children need a strong neurological foundation to:
● Focus during lessons
● Remember information
● Manage emotions
● Stay organized
● Complete assignments
● Participate confidently in the classroom
When retained primitive reflexes interfere with these skills, learning can become more difficult than it needs to be.
Reflex Integration Therapy helps address foundational neurological barriers so children can better access their full potential.
How CWJR Can Help
At Crawl Walk Jump Run Therapy Clinic, our Occupational Therapists use a comprehensive approach to evaluate the underlying factors impacting a child’s development and learning.
When appropriate, Reflex Integration Therapy may be incorporated into a child’s treatment plan to support:
● Executive functioning
● Attention and focus
● Emotional regulation
● Motor coordination
● Sensory processing
● School readiness
● Academic participation
Our goal is to help children build the strong foundation they need to succeed not only in school, but in everyday life.
Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning
Executive functioning skills are some of the strongest predictors of academic success, independence, and future achievement. By addressing retained primitive reflexes and supporting neurological development, children can develop the attention, organization, self-regulation, and confidence needed to thrive.
If your child struggles with focus, organization, emotional regulation, or school performance, Reflex Integration Therapy may be an important piece of the puzzle.
At CWJR, we’re committed to helping children build strong foundations so they can learn, grow, and achieve their fullest potential.
