Primitive Reflex Integration Case Studies
Reflex Integration Increases Stamina, Coordination, and Regulation
13-year-old with ADHD and gross motor deficits shows global improvements
This young teen had substantial challenges with coordination and clumsiness, often feeling “glued to the floor." She had a constant headache, could not handle silence, was socially challenged, and had poor stamina and sensory processing. Her physical therapist began using rhythmic movements and reflex integration from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course, and in 8 sessions her headaches were gone. After 13 sessions, she demonstrated massive improvements in all areas.
Submitted by Crystal T. Miller, PT, DPT
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Multiple injuries from tripping and falling; lack of coordination and body control | Easier, more coordinated movement; reports feeling more comfortable in her body |
| Often felt physically "stuck" when moving her body | No longer feeling like her feet are "glued to the floor" |
| Excessive talking (uncomfortable with silence) | More comfortable with silence |
| Struggled socially, to the extent that she wanted to change schools | Fewer social issues; has decided to stay at her current school |
| Sleep issues | Better sleep |
| Struggles with stamina | Improved stamina |
| Often felt "cloudy" | Feeling “less cloudy” |
| Constant headache, never fully pain-free | Now consistently headache-free |
Dakota is a 13 ½ year old girl in the 8th grade. She has a diagnosis of ADHD and received Physical Therapy services as a result of multiple injuries (including falling down the school stairs and tripping over obstacles in the classroom and injuring herself) as a result of her associated physical deficits. Her mom and school staff report issues such as clumsiness, lack of coordination and body control, difficulty focusing or paying attention, excessive talking (uncomfortable with silence). Dakota has also struggled socially with making and keeping friendships and “fitting in." She is currently on medication to help manage the symptoms of her ADHD and “help her focus in school."
Dakota has recently been complaining of persistent headaches, which she reports are constant but vary in intensity. She reports that they don’t fully go away, however they are triggered by stress and loud sudden noises (for example “annoying kids yelling in class”). She feels a bit more “clumsy” and “cloudy” than usual lately. I decided to do some innate rhythmic movements with her each session followed by the repatterning [from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course]. We kept the lights off and went through the same sequence for 8 sessions. By the end of those 8 sessions, Dakota reported that she was no longer having headaches and she felt “less cloudy” and more in control. She states that while the triggers still “bothered her," they no longer elicited a persistent headache. She actually reports she has been consistently headache free.
We then decided to continue progress using the 5-Step Balance Process [from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course] with reflex integration. Dakota’s goal was to improve her “reaction time” and “less feeling stuck” (like her feet didn’t move) particularly when playing volleyball. For reflexes we elicited primarily the Moro Reflex and Fear Paralysis Reflex as they appear to tie into her movement, balance, and coordination deficits, as well as her sensitivities and struggles with stamina and distraction. Both of us were surprised that after just the first session [of using the 5-Step Balance process], there were significant improvements, and Dakota reported that she “didn’t feel glued to the floor” and she could move much more easily.
After 5 of these sessions, Dakota is reporting that she is noticing a significant difference in how she moves. She reported that she has gotten much better sleep at night recently. She states that she has noticed improved stamina and less clumsiness. During her sessions, I have noticed that she does not complain anymore to do cardio. She also has a much more appropriate heart-rate response (as in it increases and decreases more linearly). She asks to do her 5-Step Balance Process and reflex integration as she likes how she feels. Another huge change is that Dakota is now ok in silence, which in the past few years of working with her has NEVER happened. She would typically fill all silence with conversation. After her last few sessions, she sat in complete silence and stillness just visualizing her goal. She says she feels more comfortable in her body. Her mother reports that she is more engaged at home and more interactive. She reports that she has shared with her mom all about the 5-Step Balance Process. Her mom also reports that she is having less issues socially. She states that she previously was looking into private school and “asked to move," however this past week or so has asked to stay in her school.
Dakota has made some great strides and continues to improve. We will continue to make this part of our sessions and work through the other reflexes as well.
(Edited, emphasis added)
*Disclaimer: The activities in the Brain and Sensory Foundations curriculum make use of the natural processes of neuroplasticity and development that are innately wired in the design of human beings to promote maturity and function. These activities appear to calm, organize, and mature the neuro-sensory-motor systems just as we see in the healthy development of human infants. Individual results may vary, and we do not claim to offer a diagnosis or cure for any specific condition or disorder. The Brain and Sensory Foundations activities appear to improve overall functioning resulting in measurable improvements for a range of conditions as demonstrated in over 1800 case studies from participants.