Neurological Developmental Delay

Children with specific learning difficulties often have a number of primitive reflexes, or baby reflexes that have failed to be controlled for a variety of reasons. The consequence of this has meant that the adult postural reflexes have either not emerged at all or that they are not as efficient in allowing automatic movement as they should.

Primitive Reflexes and their importance for learning

From 9 weeks and maybe earlier, the embryonic baby is developing a series of reflexes which will contribute in various ways to its birth, its subsequent survival and development, until it can make more deliberate, conscious and purposeful movements itself. There many reflexes which need to be worked through in a biologically pre-programmed sequence. As each one serves its purpose in development, its functions become automatic and it is then suppressed and the next reflex takes over. This allows for progressively more advanced behaviour and ever increasing 'intelligent', more mature responses by the growing child to his/her surroundings.

As the primitive reflexes are either inhibited or transformed, adult postural reflexes will take their place. These reflexes allow us to remain in our upright position, to defy gravity and unlike our primitive reflexes, allow us to use our limbs and co-ordinate ourselves in an endless variety of ways. Thus, movements like walking, reaching and grasping for objects, and later the processes of reading and writing become automatic, so freeing conscious thinking parts of the brain for the much more complex tasks involved in learning. If these primitive reflexes remain active above 6-12 months, they are said to be aberrant and they are evidence of a structural weakness or immaturity within the nervous system. Jane Field 2000

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
Emerges 18wks in utero and should be inhibited by 6mths.
This reflex facilitates movement, develops muscle tone and provides vestibular stimulation in utero. It also plays a part in the birth process. Its continued presence will interfere with the independent head movement, establishment of a dominant side and body integration. The development of eye movements and handwriting are affected by a retained ATNR.

The Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

Emerges at 6-9 mths and should be inhibited at 9-11mths
The influence of the STNR can be seen in stooping posture, slouching and bending of the arms when at a desk or table. Hand-eye co-ordination will also be affected; copying tasks will be slow and sometimes inaccurate due to poor re-establishment of binocular vision.

The Moro Reflex

Emerges at 9wks in utero and should be inhibited by 2-4mths
This is a survival reflex as in 'fight and flight'. The child with a retained Moro reflex will be hypersensitive to sound, light or touch. A Moro directed child is always on the alert, anxious, sensitive and easily upset. The response may be a fearful child who withdraws and is cautious, or the child who is overactive, aggressive and highly excitable. While other residual reflexes have an impact on specific skills, it is the Moro that has an overall effect on the emotional profile of the person.

The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

TLR forwards emerges in utero and should be inhibited by 4mths
TLR backwards emerges at birth and is inhibited gradually up to 3yrs
The Moro and the TLR are closely linked and are involved in the balance mechanism. A child who still has a TLR when he starts to walk cannot acquire true gravitational security, as the head movements will alter the muscle tone 'throwing the centre of balance'. If the head control is lacking, eye function will also be impaired as the eyes operate on the same circuit in the brain, the occulo-vestibular arc. The combination of visual perceptual and occulo-motor dysfunction can cause the child's vision of the world to be at odds with normal.

The Spinal Galant

Emerges in utero20wks and should be inhibited by 3-9mths
This reflex plays a part in the birth process and in the transmission of sound vibrations in the womb. A retained spinal galant will cause the child to be fidgety, unable to sit still and therefore unable to concentrate for periods of time. It is often present in children who wet the bed over five years; it also affects posture and gait.

Neuro-Developmental Therapy can Help:

• Refine motor co-ordination and balance

• Improve organisational skills

• Increase ability to concentrate and reduce distractibility.

• Better writing and presentation of work.

• Improved reading and spelling.

• More confidence and self-esteem

• Improved social interactions

Following an enquiry:

1. A Questionnaire and information about Neuro-developmental therapy will be posted.

2. A Consultation Meeting between the parents and the therapist will establish if Neuro-developmental Therapy will be beneficial to the child and improve his/her condition. The questionnaire will be considered along with any other professional assessments and the parent's experiences .

3. A Neuro-developmental Assessment will be offered, to include; gross and fine muscle co-ordination, presence of primitive and postural reflexes, laterality, visual/motor co-ordination and visual perception, reading, spelling and copying. The therapist will send a written report and make recommendations for appropriate treatment.

4. Report Reading Meeting or phone call to discuss the report and to explain the movement programme.

5. The child will be required to do the exercises everyday for 6-8wks. It is of great importance that the child makes the prescribed movements every day and will require assistance from an adult at each session. This programme will be most effective if the child and parent are consistent, conscientious and committed.

6. A Review Assessment will show any changes made and further exercises will be recommended as the child progresses through the programme.

7. The programme can take from 9-18mths depending on the severity of the difficulties.