Primitive Reflexes and INPP
Primitive reflexes are often complicating life for children with ADHD, autism, dyslexia and DCD and can be the source of learning delays in children without any diagnosis.
What’s a Reflex?
It’s an automatic movement to a sensory stimulus – the one we all know is the kick when our knee is tapped at the front. But we have very many more useful ones – for example a blink if there is a flash of light.
What are Primitive Reflexes?
They are also called baby reflexes because they’re the ones we have as babies, from about 5 weeks after conception to about 12 months after birth. There are many, but the names you come to know best are:
– The Moro (startle) – often there in reactive, nervy children
– The TLR (makes you curl up in the womb, or stretch out once born) – affects e.g. posture
– The ATNR (the arm reaches out when the head turns in that direction) – impacts e.g. handwriting and dexterity
– The STNR (links movement in the top and bottom halves of the body) – e.g. makes sitting still difficult.
These automatic movements are essential to the normal development of intentional movements, and also to the development of the nervous system.
What happens to Primitive Reflexes?
They should “integrate” and be replaced by adult reflexes and the development of intentional movement patterns throughout this early period of development. Where a groups of primitive reflexes persist to some extent beyond 18 months of age, we usually find there is developmental delay. This is because normal neurological development has not been able to occur, and adult patterns may not have developed adequately.
What happens if I still have baby reflexes?
Development doesn’t stop because we hold on to some of these reflexes – the brain will find a way! But the neural pathways may not be as strong or efficient. This has knock-on effects in terms of the amount of effort which needs to be expended in basic functions such as keeping a stable posture, or controlling the sides of the body to work independently of each other (e.g. for swimming, writing or using a knife and fork). This can be exhausting and despite our best efforts, the results might not be that good.
What can be done?
The INPP programme at ChrysalisNDT enables these primitive reflexes to be integrated, which can unblock normal brain development and get life back on track.
What is INPP?
The Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP) based in Chester was founded by psychologist Peter Blyth, and has become a centre of excellence for dealing with neuromotor immaturity and reflex integration. Sally Goddard Blyth has continued the work and written many books on the topic. INPP practitioners now work around the world.
“The INPP Method is based on over 45 years of pioneering research, expertise and practice which has investigated and helped children to resolve physical factors underlying neuro-developmental, learning and behavioural problems.
https://www.inpp.org.uk/
It is a completely drug-free and non-invasive programme using tailored daily physical exercises to help a child succeed. INPP’s proven track record demonstrates how the method can help children to overcome difficulties associated with reading, writing, dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder or Dyspraxia, educational underachievement, poor coordination, behavioural problems and more.”
The INPP Programme
The INPP method is a bespoke neurodevelopmental programme.
It is gently but powerfully transformative – for the individual and their family.
It consists of specific movements done for 5-10 minutes daily in the client’s own home, at a regular time to suit them.
The whole program usually takes about 12 months to complete.
Step 1. The first thing is usually to have a free chat with me.
We’ll explore the client’s situation and begin to work out whether the programme will be suitable.
We usually do this by video call, but in-person can be arranged if preferred. The easiest way is to book directly, but you can also email or phone.
Step 2. The next thing is a screening questionnaire. This really helps in assessing whether INPP might be effective for you, and leads to…
Step 3 a review of the screening questionnaire, again usually by video call.
Step 4. Then, we book a 2-hour appointment to meet the client in person, and carry out a full assessment.
This will involve lots of non-invasive tests – people usually enjoy doing this, even though it can be quite challenging! Children need to be accompanied the whole time.
The questionnaire and assessment provide a baseline profile, and we start the programme straight away.
Step 5. A simple movement exercise is prescribed. This needs to be done for 5 minutes every day in the client’s own home, at a regular time to suit.
Step 6. I provide a simple report of the main findings from the assessment. A more detailed report can be provided on request, and a “report reading” enables us to talk through the findings in more detail.
Step 7. Review appointments happen every 6-8 weeks to monitor change and adjust the programme.
We also check-in as needed between appointments, to ensure things are progressing as we would wish. Clients stay in touch with any questions, concerns and celebrations!
Step 8. Sign off. When the client has completed the programme, the chrysalis has done its work and the butterfly is free to fly into the future!
F had a very good response to the programme. He quickly showed signs that he was relaxing into himself and had more confidence. After completing the full programme, he has started to read out loud with much greater ease and fluency. He is finding writing much easier and has gone from writing only a few sentences to several paragraphs. He has noticed these changes and is full of a newfound sense of confidence and love of life.
Parent of 8-year-old with dyslexia
Research
INPP is founded, sustained and developed by over 50 years of research from around the world. The list is constantly being updated – take a look on the INPP website https://www.inpp.uk/
The reason we practitioners are so enthusiastic, though, is the lives we see transformed, and the families who tell us how good it has been.