Reducing Hyperactivity with Primitive Reflex Integration
Have you ever wondered if children are hyperactive because of poor behavior? Could something else be going on?
While there may be many factors contributing to hyperactivity, an often overlooked cause is immaturity of the neuro-sensory-motor systems. By giving children innate rhythmic movements and primitive reflex integration activities, we can mature the neuro-sensory-motor systems and help children comfortably access stillness and enjoyment in life's activities. Here is a story that illustrates the transformation we see when children get the neurodevelopmental movements they need to thrive.
When I met Jai he was just under 5 years old and could not sit still. He could not stand still. He could not lie down and be still. He could hardly stop talking.
Jai’s mother brought him to me hoping that the neurodevelopmental movements would help him. Her intuition told her it was not normal that Jai often hurt himself. Several times a day Jai would fall, crash into things, hit his head, then cry in pain and frustration.
In our first session, I asked Jai to lie down on his back so I could check for primitive reflexes on his feet. Primitive reflexes are important; they belong to a group of neurodevelopmental movements—the innate movements of infancy required for proper brain, body and sensory development.
Jai hesitated, then lay down on his back.
In a split second he was up again, motoring through the room. He could not be still enough for me to check his feet reflexes.
Feels “like I’m gonna explode”
We played some and then I introduced an innate rhythmic movement that was enjoyable and calming. Innate rhythmic movements are another category of neurodevelopmental movement that also fuel brain and body growth. After a minute of gentle rhythmic rocking, Jai seemed slightly more settled. I thought, Now is my chance to check his feet!
So I asked Jai again if he would lie down.
Jai complied and lay down on his back. I looked at Jai’s face and noticed his eyes opening wide—indicating a stress response.
“What does it feel like when you lie on your back like this?” I asked him.
Jai answered immediately: “Like I’m gonna explode”.
That was a learning moment for me that I will never forget. At such a young age, without even having to think about it, Jai could so clearly feel and express his discomfort. At such a young age he was aware of his body’s intense internal chaos.
I reassured Jai that I would check his feet very quickly and then he could get up and move again.
That was many years ago, but Jai’s words still have meaning because there are so many children like Jai.
How can they focus, listen, and learn when they cannot be still even when they want to?
Is it any wonder they have meltdowns and behavior challenges?
Jai’s story helps us understand how unreasonable it is to ask children to be still when they are physically incapable of doing this without great discomfort.
While it is true that very young children should not be expected to be still for long periods, it is also important that, as they get older, children can be comfortable being still. This gives children more ability to focus on meaningful activities, kearning, and play.
For children like Jai, stillness is completely inaccessible and when attempted, unbearable.
These children need our help.
But first we must understand what the root of the problem is.
The Reason Many Children Cannot Be Still
During a training course with Harald Blomberg, MD, he explained that many children cannot be still because of immaturity in the basal ganglia of the brain. The basal ganglia must be mature in order for us to comfortably be still. But maturity of the basal ganglia does not happen automatically as we get older. It only happens if the neurodevelopmental movements—the primitive reflexes, rhythmic movements, and developmental movements—are not disrupted during womb-life and infancy.
The problem is that there are many factors in modern society that can prevent our children from receiving full measure of these special movements in infancy, the time when the basal ganglia should be maturing. When children are left with an immature brain and sensory system, it is impossible to sit still and very challenging to focus. Learning and behavioral issues often arise as a result.
The good news is that we can introduce these movements at any age and the brain seems to respond just as it does in infancy, with more connectivity, growth, and maturity in the basal ganglia. In fact the brain, body, and sensory systems can all mature from these unique movements.
Jai was sent home with a neurodevelopmental movement program that he did with his mom and dad on a regular basis. When I saw Jai 5 weeks later, he walked purposefully into the session room. He was proud of himself and much more settled.
His mom said, “He is not hurting himself any more. He sleeps better, he is eating more, he can sit still and draw, and his drawings are much more complicated. He is much happier.“
Jai still had work to do to fully integrate his brain and body. But he was on track and the neurodevelopmental movements continued to help him immensely.
Take Away Summary: The ability to be still requires sufficient brain maturity. Brain maturity requires repeated movement, specifically the powerful innate neurodevelopmental movements of infancy, that the brain recognizes and requires to develop. Ideally this development happens in infancy, but if it does not, a child can be greatly challenged and uncomfortable trying to maitain stillness and focus.
Neurodevelopmental movements are often effective for challenging behaviors, poor focus, sensory processing issues, learning challenges, and inability to be still.
What a difference it makes when children can move how they want to and be still when they want to—as opposed to needing to move just to have a semblance of comfort in their own skin.
Sonia Story, MS has been teaching neurodevelopmental movements since 2006.
She is an honors graduate with a Bachelor's degree in biology/psychology and a Master’s degree in Movement Sciences.
Sonia developed the Brain and Sensory Foundations program to provide comprehensive training in neurodevelopmental movements—combining innate rhythmic movements, play, primitive reflexes, and postural reflexes.
She is the author of The Importance of Reflex Integration and the Evidence eBook, giving the rationale and evidence basis for using neurodevelopmental movements for helping with challenges such as ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorders, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, visual skill deficits, poor social skills, gross and fine motor delays and other neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders.
Her work is featured in numerous podcasts, summits, and conferences, and in the books Almost Autism: Recovering Children from Sensory Processing Disorder; Special Ed Mom Survival Guide; Family Health Revolution; and Same Journey, Different Paths—Stories of Auditory Processing Disorder.
Sonia’s mission is to help children and families experience the profound benefits of neurodevelopmental and integrative movements for more functional and fulfilling lives.