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Original poster

Retained Reflexes - update

48 replies

IndigoBell · 01/08/2010 06:58

Ok, guys. You are not going to believe this.

As posted in an earlier thread we went to the Sound Learning Centre on Wednesday to start a retained reflex progam for DS. ( They call it a Neuro Development Program)

They tested him and he has major difficulties with all of his reflexes and his visual perception. They way they scored at 0% was no difficulties, 25% was significant difficulties, and over 50% was major difficulties. All of his reflexes were over 50% and some of them up to 100%! (Moro reflex was at 88%)

Anyway, they give us a program of exercises to do 10 minutes every day. Things like drinking and blowing through a straw. Touching your right knee with your left hand etc. Nothing that looked very special or even difficult for him to do.

Yesterday he sat down at this computer and typed a story for over an hour! And the story's really good!

This is from a kid who's made no progress in writing in the last 2 years, and is still working at the level of a 7 year old. He has never ever sat and concentrated for an hour - or written typed a long piece of work.

Co-incedence?????

He was also able to use a key to unlock the front door for the first time ever.

Spooky.

I will keep you posted...

OP posts:

Spinkle · 01/08/2010 07:10

That's lovely news Well done all of you, you must be so pleased.

improvingslowly · 01/08/2010 08:17

V pleased! (Shame it is left for people to find out about the benefits of this for themselves.. )

bubble2bubble · 01/08/2010 10:09

That's amazing, but I absolutely do believe it!

Bet your DS is really pleased with himself too

oddgirl · 01/08/2010 10:53

fabulous news-we have just had a simialr leap in beahviour from DS-big leap in verbal reasoning and in ability to share and take turns and look out for his sister-as you know I am a great believer in this therapy and I am so pleased others seeing benefits. Keep us all posted and welll done to your DS!

Eveiebaby · 01/08/2010 21:07

That's fantastic Indigo - It's something I am very interested in for DD. Please keep us posted.

nightcat · 01/08/2010 23:06

that's brill news Indigo, I wish it wasn't so far away from us, is it expensive?

Original poster

IndigoBell · 02/08/2010 10:14

NightCat - I believe loads of other providers do similar types of programs. Check out some of the other threads on Retained Reflexes. This is a link which is often published: inpp

We have paid £600 - so fairly expensive. Not sure if a provider out of London would be cheaper?

However, obviously if it works £600 is very cheap

He does seem fantastic and happier and less stressed and 'cleverer' at the moment. But it is the school holidays - which may be contributing to his lack of stress.

I'll update here when we go back to school, and see if he seems significantly better in class - or if we are imagining such a huge leap for him.

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nightcat · 02/08/2010 18:05

Thanks Indigo, INPP further still, London might be closer but 2 weeks daily to get there would be a nightmare.
I did try looking in the area, but so far no luck.
Might consider going to the open evening and take it from there.
Obviously, if we won't try we would never know, so I would def consider it.

oddgirl · 02/08/2010 18:34

Whereabouts are you nightcat?

Original poster

IndigoBell · 02/08/2010 21:53

NightCat - the retained reflexes program only requires one visit to create the program, and then a follow up visit six weeks later. Plus more follow up visits if necessary.

It's the Auditory Integration Program that requires ten visits. That cures distorted and hypersensitive hearing - which is part of sensory processing disorder. My DS has already done this and it has also worked miracles. He used to walk out of class 5 times a day as it was too noisy for him. Now he doesn't walk out at all.

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nightcat · 02/08/2010 22:03

Thanks guys, we are near Woking
I wish there was more practical literature/dvds available somewhere.

Original poster

IndigoBell · 02/08/2010 22:10

The assessment took 2 hours, and then they chose a dozen excercises specifically for him to do. I don't think it's going to be the kind of thing you could do from a book....

You could always ring them to discuss? Maybe to find out what you could look for to tell if your child has retained reflexes? The only obvious signs I know are thumb sucking and bed wetting. But there must be some easy tests you could do.

If you can somehow determine that he definately does have retained reflexes, then maybe it will be an easier decision?

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nightcat · 02/08/2010 22:20

He def has some moro, paed mentioned some more when testing but I wasn't tuned into the retained aspect much then. And he has some missing too.

I have seen detailed write ups about the symptoms of each of the retained reflexes, but not what to do about them. I think I will try to go to the open evening and take it from there, I feel impatient waiting though.

Original poster

IndigoBell · 03/08/2010 07:52

He def needs this treatment. Just do it. You will never regret spending the money - because it will absolutely change his life.

(sorry. I know nothing about your financial situation. All I mean is that you won't regret spending all of your disposable income on this)

give them a ring. It is the ndp program you want to talk to them about.

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oddgirl · 03/08/2010 08:02

night cat-have a look at Hemispheres OT-they are based in Surrey and looks like they do retained reflex program-think its £150 for initial consult...not used myself as I use inpp person but have heard good things-not sure if they are feasible for you...I am with indigobell-the changes I have seen in DS are remarkable. Now it could be normal maturation adn I am sure that is what many would argue but some things have been almost instantaneous after treatment (eg car sickness and improved toileting)that I honestly think it must be this thats working.
Wouls also add that I think individual programmes are better-I use the same practitioner as anotjher MNetter and she has devised completely different programmes for us based on needs of individual child.
Good luck-would be good for us all to keep this thread going!

nightcat · 03/08/2010 20:19

thanks oddgirl, that's fairly local, I will contact them

Original poster

IndigoBell · 09/09/2010 15:44

Update.

DS has been back for his 6 week check up and he's made major progress! In only 6 weeks.

He can now do things like touch his nose with his eyes closed and he no longer hates driving (which was down to a vestibular problem)

He is definitely calmer and happier. School are also thrilled and have commented on how his behavior has improved.

We're still doing the same exercises for another 6 weeks - but I can now 100% recommend this program.

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Larissaisonline · 09/09/2010 16:21

This is fantastic news, it sounds great.

Have also been thinking of using for my ds (asd & sensory issues)

i am going to the open evening next week and will let you know what happens.

Well done to your ds!!

oddgirl · 09/09/2010 16:57

Thats fab indigo-we too have seen massive improvement in the last month with DS 5 (ASD/dyspraxia)and addressing reflexes. Now able to write letters/numbers/draw a person.We have been doing for a year and its almost as though a different child is emerging. Able to close his eyes (couldnt do this at all)...much more chatty and social...able to express his emotions far better...able to share/take turns...no longer carsick...lovely to hear all going well for you too...lets keep the thread going so we can compare notes with all of us.

Good luck all!

signandsay · 09/09/2010 17:00

Umm... need to ask some maybe silly questions, my ds 3.9 yrs mod LD minimal speech, ASD but seemingly not many of the sensory issues that lots of ASD kids have, fine in car etc, is this something that might be useful for him?
I am happy to go to the link and read thru, but so pushed for time ( and brain!) at the moment that I will get to it later if it doesn't seem relevant to him, or will go and investigate if you wise ones think could be useful, how has it helped your dcs?

thanks

Original poster

IndigoBell · 09/09/2010 22:02

SignAndSay - it helps if your DS has retained reflexes. But it is expensive - and I'm not even sure if there is a cheap way of telling if your DS has retained reflexes or not.

Our primary reason for doing it was to lower DS's anxiety. He was always anxious. And it has helped, his anxiety has come down a lot. And with that no longer ruling him everything changes...

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SayItWithWine · 09/09/2010 22:58

Indigo. Is this program any good for cerebral palsy. I get very confused as to why children retain reflexes in the first place. Is it a sensory thing or a physical developmental thing?. We may be looking at this in the future. Where is the best place to look to see whether it would be useful?

NickOfTime · 10/09/2010 05:41

sayit, lots of children with cp do have retained reflexes - we're struggling currently because dd2 loses balance if she moves her head (she has retained atnr - jury out on others) and also physio has suggested this is the reason she is struggling with swimming - she can swim like a demon as long as she doesn't try and breathe

am assuming that you have a child with cp? your physio and ot should be able to give you some idea of which reflexes are involved, and you can then speak with greater confidence to anyone offering private retained reflex therapies.

we're not in the uk at the mo, but now that we have a 'reason' to move onto looking at this (drowning lol) it'll be the 'next' thing on the list. it hasn't been a priority thus far, with mobility, speech, education whatever...

i think kids with cp are more likely to have retained reflexes because they tend to have delayed or different patterns of physical development (ie they don't make standard timely transitions from rolling to sitting to crawling to weight-bearing to cruising to walking, so often they miss out on the pattern of movement practice thought to 'release' or train out reflexes - gain purposeful control etc. so the exercises used to reduce retained reflexes often mimic or replace those that would normally be gained through normal developmental passage.

i think. but i'm not as knowledgeable as those who've been there. just what i've picked up as a parent of a child with cp (and some retained reflexes)

troublewithtalk · 10/09/2010 08:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oddgirl · 10/09/2010 09:03

Signand say-as far as I am aware sensory integration is just one of the areas that reflex inhibition addresses. In "normal" development, the foetus and newborn pass through various stages sparked off by a set pattern of reflexes...one of these helps to develop the sensory integration necessary for a balanced response to external and internal stimuli. If for some reason that stage was omitted, the child will have resulting sensory issues. But reflexes are also responsible for balance/co-ordination and higher social skills.
IME my DS has just become a happier person in his own skin...it is not a miracle cure and takes a long time and is expensive but for us has been worth it.
HTH

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