At The Movement Recipe here in Haarlem, I meet so many families who come in feeling confused or overwhelmed by their child’s behavior. Their child may be struggling to sit still, getting easily frustrated, having big emotional reactions, finding it difficult to focus in school, or feeling anxious in situations that seem small. Many parents tell me they have considered speaking with a Haarlem child psychologist or trying new behavior strategies, but deep down they sense something more is going on. And often, they are right.
One of the most overlooked reasons children experience ongoing behavior problems is the presence of a retained primitive reflex, which is an early movement pattern from infancy that did not fully integrate as the brain developed. These reflexes are designed to support survival and early motor skills, but if they stay active for too long, they can affect how a child moves, pays attention, regulates emotions, and processes the world.
Table of Contents
1. Why these reflexes are still active in so many children
2. Behavior problems are often a clue that the brain is working too hard
3. Why traditional talk therapy or behavior coaching does not always create lasting change
4. How chiropractic supports reflex integration and behavior problems
5. The benefits families notice after reflex integration begins
Why These Reflexes Are Still Active in So Many Children
Primitive reflexes are meant to fade away as more mature brain networks develop, but today’s children face an environment that makes retention increasingly common. Many babies spend long hours in car seats, swings, and bouncers, which limits the natural movement opportunities their brain relies on. Others skip or rush through milestones like crawling, rolling, or tummy time, often because their bodies found compensations that seemed faster in the moment but limited the variety of sensory input their brain needed. Birth experiences also play a role. Fast deliveries, very long labor, or caesarean births can influence early neurological development and make it harder for reflexes to settle.
On top of all this, the modern world is full of stimulation, screen time, hurried routines, and chronic stress that keep a child’s nervous system in a more reactive state. When the body is always trying to “keep up,” it does not always get the chance to reorganize and integrate these early patterns. This is why a child can be bright, capable, and motivated yet still struggle with behaviors that do not match their age.
Behavior Problems Are Often a Clue That the Brain Is Working Too Hard
When a primitive reflex is still present, a child may show it in ways that look like behavior issues rather than neurological patterns. You might see difficulty sitting upright, messy handwriting, clumsiness, poor coordination, slow processing speed, or emotional reactions that seem too big for the situation. You might notice that your child works incredibly hard to focus but seems to hit a wall quickly, or that they melt down over little transitions despite being very intelligent or mature in other areas.
These behaviors are not signs that your child is misbehaving or not trying. They are signs that the brain and body are not communicating as efficiently as they could, and that your child is using a lot of energy to compensate for a reflex that should have integrated years earlier.
Why Traditional Talk Therapy or Behavior Coaching Does Not Always Create Lasting Change
I have the deepest respect for psychologists, teachers, and therapists, and I often work alongside them. But when underlying reflex patterns are still active, children can understand a coping strategy yet still be unable to use it consistently. This is not a matter of willpower. The lower, more primitive parts of the brain are still running the show, and higher thinking skills like self regulation, focus, and emotional problem solving simply cannot take over fully.
This is why some families feel like they are making progress, only to see it fade during stressful times. If the nervous system feels overwhelmed, the old reflex takes over automatically.
For parents who want a deeper explanation, here is a helpful article that explores primitive reflexes and their effects on learning and behavior:
https://www.parentingadhdandautism.com/2018/02/primitive-reflexes/
How Chiropractic Supports Reflex Integration and Behavior Improvements
At The Movement Recipe, I combine pediatric chiropractic, DNS, movement science, and a full developmental approach to help strengthen the communication between a child’s brain and body. Chiropractic adjustments support areas of the brain responsible for balance, posture, coordination, and attention, which are the same areas needed for reflex integration. When these pathways function better, the body finally has the opportunity to move in the way the brain has been waiting for.
In addition to gentle adjustments, I evaluate posture, breathing patterns, core activation, crawling patterns, gait, and movement habits, because these pieces all give valuable insight into which reflexes might still be influencing your child’s behavior. I then guide parents through specific developmental exercises that recreate the sensory experiences the brain should have received earlier in life. When done consistently, these movements help the nervous system reorganize and allow the reflex to integrate properly.
Many parents tell me that this is the first time anyone has shown them the whole picture. They suddenly understand why their child’s behavior has been inconsistent, and they feel hopeful knowing that the root cause is something we can actually address.
The Benefits Families Often Notice After Reflex Integration Begins
As the brain becomes more organized and the body no longer relies on outdated reflexes, children often experience a noticeable shift in the way they move, think, and handle emotions. Parents frequently report that their child can sit more comfortably, focus for longer periods of time, handle frustration with more ease, and feel more confident in school and social situations. Handwriting often improves, coordination becomes smoother, and anxiety often decreases as the nervous system becomes calmer and more regulated.
These changes happen because the child finally has access to the mature brain patterns they were always meant to use. They no longer feel like they are fighting their own body.
If You Are Concerned About Your Child’s Behavior, Development, or Emotional Regulation
If you live in the Haarlem area and your child has behavior problems that seem confusing or out of proportion, or if you simply feel like something is not quite clicking for them, it may be worth exploring whether a retained reflex is playing a role. At The Movement Recipe, I offer a detailed pediatric and developmental assessment that looks closely at movement patterns, posture, primitive reflexes, and the overall function of the nervous system. This gives you clear answers and a practical plan for how to support your child.
If you would like help understanding what is driving your child’s behavior or learning challenges, you can book a visit or send me a message. I am always here to guide you, support your family, and help your child move, feel, and thrive with confidence.
