Retained Primitive Reflexes: Understanding and Supporting Your Child’s Development | Ep. 222

Connected Families Podcast

Is your child struggling with emotional regulation, sitting still, or the feel of their clothing? These challenges could be linked to retained primitive reflexes. In this episode, Lynne Jackson, Connected Families Co-Founder and occupational therapist, explores this topic with Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches Amy Nyvall and Courtney Dewey. They explain how these automatic movement patterns should naturally integrate during infancy but can remain active, causing developmental challenges. They also share their families’ success stories and practical, playful integration strategies. Lynne, Amy, and Courtney mention an abundance of resources to help you learn more and provide reassurance that it’s never too late to address retained primitive reflexes.

Key Points:

• What are primitive reflexes, and what purpose do they play in development
• The typical timeline for integrating reflexes
• How retained reflexes can cause trouble in a child’s everyday functioning
• What to do first if you’re wondering if your child has a retained reflex

Mentioned in this podcast:

• Sensitive & Intense Kids online course
• Connected Families Framework
• Reflex Integration Through Play and Exercise
• Kokeb McDonald website
• Brain Balance Centers
• Disconnected Kids by Dr. Robert Melillo
• Family Hope Center
• Healing Your Child’s Brain by Matthew and Carol Newell
• Vision Therapy
• Occupationaltherapy.com
• Harkla Clinic
• Romans 15:13

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting.

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Guest Bio:

Amy Nyvall is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach who lives near Portland, Oregon, where she homeschools her kids ages 14,11, and 9 and leads a vibrant Charlotte Mason Education Community. Contact Amy at [email protected] or learn more about her here: https://connectedfamilies.org/coaches/amy-nyvall/. Amy is available for coaching and speaking on the Connected Families Framework.

Courtney Dewey, a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, combines her knowledge of strengths-based leadership with the Connected Families Framework to help parents recognize the gifts of God in themselves and their children. She helps foster compassionate, connected relationships between struggling parents and children. You can contact her for coaching at [email protected] or here: https://connectedfamilies.org/coaches/joe-and-courtney-2/

© 2025 Connected Families

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