Exploring Primitive Reflexes in the Developing Child

The most important occupations of a child are play and learning. Without adaptation, the retention of primitive reflexes and underdeveloped postural reflexes can lead to abnormal muscle tone, poor postural control, and poor coordination (Fiorentino, M., 1972; Goddard, S., 2005). According to Story (2007), motor skills are the foundation upon which higher level learning takes place. Allied professionals specializing in the treatment of children have a responsibility to understand how to recognize and provide remediation for these delays to optimize the child's ability to actively engage in play and learning.

This interactive course will teach practitioners about normal development of motor skills and provide an in-depth understanding of how the retention of primitive reflexes canaffect global development. Participants will have a better understanding of how intact vision and motor skills supportsfunctional performance of the child in meaningful occupations of childhood. Through the use of hands-on labs andinteractive case studies, they will learn how to recognize primitive reflex retention and related deficits, as well as remediation techniques when they contribute to functional deficits. Hands-on labs and interactive case studies will beused throughout the course to engage participant learning. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have tools to effectively evaluate and treat children with delays due to primitive reflex retention and recognize visual processing delays.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants

Highlights

• Immediately improve functional performance through play and academic setting using practical treatment techniques
• Confidently perform an assessment to test for functional deficits related to retained primitive reflexes
• Practical assessment and treatment strategies for motor delays for your pediatric patients
• Hands-on labs for assessment and treatment of deficitsrelated to retained primitive reflexes
• Effective, evidence-based interventions for remediation of developmental delays resulting from retained primitive reflexes