Neurodevelopmental rehabilitation for children and adults with learning and behavioural difficulties
In a nutshell neurodevelopmental rehabilitation is a set of exercises designed to help children and adults with learning and behavioural issues. These include dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD and Asperger’s. It is based on the notion of the retained primitive reflex. Gobble-de-gook? Read on and if this doesn’t help have a look at my blog post “Neurodevelopmental rehabilitation: What is it? How does it work? Who can it help?”
What is neurodevelopment?
Just after birth, infants are most happy curled up in a tight little ball. When they turn, they do so in a block. There is no separation of head and body movement. This is entirely normal but the infant cannot stay this way. They need to progress into a walking, talking, reading, learning, adult. This is the role of the primitive reflex.
A primitive reflex is an automatic movement elicited by a particular trigger. It is designed to shape the brain by laying down specific neurological pathways. An example is the Atonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) or fencer pose. This reflex lays down pathways in the brain to do with sight. It works like this. The baby turns their head. In response, the arm on that side is flung out. The baby sees the hand. Immediately pathways in the brain, associated with hand-eye co-ordination, accommodation and eye tracking, are formed.
How does it impact learning?
These skills are vital for reading and writing. A child, and here’s the vital message, that cannot move their head at this critical early stage of their development is unable to lay the necessary pathways that support reading and writing. Different pathways are, instead, established and difficulties, akin to dyslexia, are seen.
In this example the child presents with a learning difficulty associated with the lack of development of a primitive reflex purely because of a simple head restriction. Other presentations, such as behavioural issues similar to ADHD, ADD may have their origins in the retention of a primitive reflex.
Retention of primitive reflexes
All primitive reflexes should arise, stay for a time, do their job and then be put away in the lower parts of the brain. There is a primitive reflex called the Moro or Startle. In this reflex an infant may, in response to a loud sound or other sudden change, fling themselves open with an intense, agitated cry that is difficult to settle. Now, what do you think a child might be like who has retained this reflect? You get the picture.
Neurodevelopmental rehabilitation is a series of exercises that, if executed slowly and precisely over time, encourages the emergence or inhibition of problematic primitive reflexes. As this happens new pathways are laid down and the symptoms of dyslexia, dyspraxia, problematic behaviour tend to settle. This is brain retraining, a second chance. Of course, as with any presenting compliant there can be many potential causes. If, however, the primary driver is the primitive reflex then it may be that neurodevelopmental rehabilitation can help.