Retained reflexes? So confused

[Claliscool]

Sorry I just posted another thread about sons handwriting. Should also say that pre lockdown it was recommended that we go to a chiropractor who said he had retained reflexes and I haven't received a write up of the assessment and wasn't exactly sure what she said, so I've been waiting on that. Hopefully she will be able to provide us with one. She definitely said own he has retained was to do with head /neck /arms. Anyway the more I've thought about it and friend who works in SEN advice about dysgraphia, the more I think it's connected and have no idea what to do next. I can see online there is reflex integration therapy available in some places - any advice or experiences would be really really welcome

Bump?
Anyone with experience?

Sorry no advice from me as not heard of this before but thinking of you x

I have (what I assume are) retained reflexes from a severe head injury prior to the age of 6 months. I knew that I had mild acquired CP but had never heard of RR until I was an adult and didn't realise the symptoms I experienced were due to RR.

Does this integration training aim to cure the RR?

Retained reflexes are considered a bit woo. My son’s optometrist has an interest in them, and likes to take into account the whole person when testing their eyes. She suggested that he has some retained reflexes (he’s 8) and that we should try some exercises, which did seem to help his coordination.
My son’s fine motor skills, and his handwritten fine, but his gross motor skills aren’t brilliant, and his joints hyperextend a bit.

Funny enough my son's chiropractor said he had retained primitive reflexes too. He's 2 and we started going at 6 months for his flat patch on his head.

He had all the reflexes still (I could see him doing them when she was testing him for them) so basically she said to stroke down his cheeks to the corners of his mouth for rooting reflex

Use light touches or a paintbrush to draw circles on his palms to stop his grippy reflex and to press firmly up the middle of the soles of his feet to stop his toes curling up

The goal is to overstimulate the reflex until it disappears

But I have no idea about the rest, sorry

Op go back to your chiropractor and ask for the full report, also ask for a referral to a practitioner (chiropractic or other) who’s specialism is such.

If you don’t understand what the report says, do ask for a deeper explanation. Don’t be shy to say you don’t understand.

As a primary healthcare professional your chiropractor is able to refer you (even if that is back to your GP).

My dc was assessed and had retained morrow (startle) reflex which was causing/contributing to her anxiety. Daily exercises (2-5mins) for 9 months and seen real progress. Happier, more confident and muchness anxious child. Truly believe it helped.

Thanks all for responses it is much appreciated. I think it was the atnr reflex which he has retained and I have emailed to ask for full information. It does sound a bit woo but clearly there must be something to it? Looking online there is a research base but it's mainly European? I think it makes sense as to why his hand writing is so bad and some motor problems

I did a bit of searching OP and found this:

'Luckily, integration of this reflex is still possible with a little work. In order for the reflex to disappear, we need to break the natural and unconscious pattern that takes place. This means that when the child’s head is turned to one side, we need to try and ensure that the opposite arm remains straight during the same activity, and that the arm in the direction to which the head is turned is required to bend. This can be achieved through activities over a roller or leaning over the edge of the bed, requiring the child to support their body weight with their arms while working. Playing on all fours or crawling on the floor while looking at surrounding stimuli is also a good way to integrate the ATNR.'

www.jeanekolbe-ot.co.za/tipsandtricks/2017/5/28/asymmetrical-tonic-neck-reflex-atnr

If you put antr exercises into Google it gives you videos to do too

I would avoid a chiropractor and seek advice from a physio and potentially referral to OT dependent on outcome from physio.

Chiropractors are quacks like acupuncturists, witch doctors, and antivaxxers. See a real medical professional if you are worried.

Chiropractors in the UK are classed as primary healthcare professionals. They are regulated by the GCC. They work under strict guidelines and legally cannot state they ‘treat’ anything other than that proven in quality research.

It’s a personal choice to use a chiropractor or not, but I think the standards they adhere to quite differentiate them from which doctors and the like..

Witch*

It's a bit "woo" for me as well. I'm an optometrist with a higher paediatric certificate, some behavioural training and an MSc.

I also have a child who has a diagnosis of "dysgraphia" which I don't like, as it's not a diagnosis it's just a statement of fact without causation. I had to get it done as DS's school would not let him type without it and we were getting constant reports that the teachers could not read what he'd written. The rest of the ed psych was upper quartile.

We'd tried OT, physio, numerous handwriting workbooks, plus I'd done some of the "retained reflexes" with him. He's 14 now and we've never got to the bottom of his difficulties.

He's very tall - 6'3, slightly overweight, slight anxious and introverted. Mild sensory touch issues. Hypermobile in some joints and extra foot bone. But otherwise normal. Passed 11+ easily with no tutoring.

Personally, I'd start with an OT/Physio approach (bases on improving pincer grip and positioning and then layer through the others. Bear in mind you that you may never get a satisfactory conclusion.