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REFLEX INTEGRATION/RYTHMIC MOVEMENTS

   Reflex integration through play was developed by John Bradell.  He based it on the rhythmic movements therapy program which was developed by Kerstin Linde.  Kerstin was an accomplished photographer and with her strong observation skills has observed the patterns of movements that were displayed by infants, children and adults.  She realized that struggling children were still mimicking the same rhythmic patterns that infants were doing spontaneously.  She also realized, that these kids had issues with coordinating their bodies and it was due to the underdeveloped reflexes.  She then developed a program which included imitating these reflexes long enough until it integrates into the next reflex.  John Bradell has taken these movements and combined it into a playful manner, so instead of being a boring set of exercises, that kids are loathe to perform, they were coming to an enjoyable, playful, fun kind of setting.  When kids like what they are doing, they progress faster, and the body accepts it better. 

What are primitive reflexes?  When a baby develops, it first develops the fear paralysis reflex, which then integrates into the moro reflex, and from there other reflexes integrate into different ones, such as TLR, ATNR, STNR, etc.  When a reflex integrates, it means that the body sheds the old reflex, and develops into a new reflex.  For instance, the Babinski reflex, which helps with walking, will flex backwards in a newborn, and flex forward in a 1 year old.  If it still flexes backwards in a 1 year old, then the child is not ready for walking.  You therefore would need to work on the Babinski reflex daily to help integrate it.  However, if the fear paralysis reflex, which is the first reflex that needs to integrate, is not integrated, then all the other reflexes will have a hard time integrating. 

How do these movements integrate?  The quick and jerky movements that a baby does spontaneously are actually what helps integrate the reflexes.  Therefore, it is of utmost importance that a baby should be given the maximum amount of freedom to get enough opportunities to engage in these movements.  Locking a child in a jumper, infant seat, playpen, or walker, inhibit these movements, and may delay a child’s progress.  Also, putting a baby on its back all day might inhibit these movements as well.  In addition, love and bonding with the baby is extremely important for the emotional development of the baby.  However, if fear paralysis is not integrated, then the baby might have a hard time to make eye contact, or bond with the mother. 

How do I know if my child can benefit from reflex integration?  If your child has a hard time making eye contact, has sensory issues, fear and anxiety, academic and reading issues, balance issues, bed wetting issues, or is uncoordinated, then you know your child is a perfect candidate for reflex integration.


What to expect in a session:


The therapist will play with your child and induce him to follow certain playful movements that mimic reflexes that is not has not integrated through the child’s development stages.  After the session the therapist will provide a 10 minute reflex integration program to be done daily at home.

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