Does My Child Need Primitive Reflex Testing?
A gentle, whole-body approach to understanding your child’s development
At Lake View Dental & Wellness, we look beyond the teeth to understand how your child is developing as a whole, including their breathing, oral function, posture, movement, and regulation.
Sometimes, small signs can be connected to how the nervous system is organising itself.
What Are Primitive Reflexes (And Why Do They Matter)?
Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns present from before birth. They act as the foundation (or “scaffolding”) of the nervous system, supporting early development of:
- Movement
- Learning
- Emotional regulation
- Coordination
As the brain matures, these reflexes are expected to integrate (or “switch off”), allowing more controlled, voluntary movement and function.
When this process doesn’t fully occur, the body may continue to rely on these automatic patterns, which can make everyday tasks feel harder or less efficient.
Why These Patterns Can Show Up in the Mouth, Body and Behaviour
When primitive reflexes remain active:
- Muscles may respond automatically instead of intentionally
- Movement patterns can feel uncoordinated or effortful
- The brain may need to work harder for tasks that should become automatic
This can influence:
- Breathing (mouth vs nasal)
- Tongue posture and swallowing
- Jaw and dental development
- Posture and balance
- Coordination and physical confidence
- Focus, behaviour, and emotional regulation
These systems don’t work in isolation. They develop together.
Why Might Reflexes Not Fully Integrate?
There is rarely one single cause. Often, it’s a combination of factors affecting early development. Common contributing factors include:
Pregnancy and birth
- Premature birth
- Difficult or prolonged labour
- Assisted delivery (forceps/vacuum)
- Caesarean section
- Limited space or movement in utero
Early movement development
- Limited tummy time
- Delayed or skipped crawling
- Reduced floor-based play
- Preference for one side of the body
- Extended time in prams, capsules, or swings
Breathing and airway
- Ongoing mouth breathing
- Snoring or disrupted sleep
- Enlarged tonsils/adenoids
- Chronic congestion or allergies
Oral habits
- Prolonged dummy use
- Extended bottle feeding
- Thumb or finger sucking
- Tongue thrust or low tongue posture
Injury, illness and nervous system stress
- Frequent illness or inflammation
- Falls, head knocks, or injuries
- Concussion or whiplash (in older children)
- Sensory sensitivities or difficulty regulating
Reflexes can also become more noticeable again after injury, stress, or trauma, as the nervous system shifts into a more protective state.
A note for parents
Not all children with these factors will have retained reflexes, and not all retained reflexes present clearly. This simply helps us understand the bigger developmental picture.
Complete the Parent Quiz
Please note any that apply to your child.
Breathing and resting posture
- Mouth breathing
- Lips apart at rest
- Mouth open during sleep
- Snoring or restless sleep
- Drooling beyond toddler years
Eating and oral function
- Messy eating
- Tongue pushing forward when swallowing
- Difficulty with textures
- Gagging easily
- History of feeding challenges
Teeth, jaw and dental development
- Crowded or narrow teeth
- Early orthodontic concerns
- Clenching or grinding
- Jaw tension
- Difficulty with dental visits
Posture and movement
- Slouched or forward head posture
- Clumsy or uncoordinated
- Poor balance
- Tires easily
- Avoids physical activity
Regulation and focus
- Difficulty sitting still
- Fidgety or restless
- Easily overwhelmed
- Difficulty focusing
- Sensitive to movement or touch
Sleep and nervous system regulation
These signs can reflect how well the nervous system is settling and regulating.
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Frequent night waking
- Restless or unsettled sleep
- Night terrors or vivid dreams
- Wakes unrefreshed
Bladder and body awareness
- Bedwetting beyond expected age
- Difficulty recognising the need to go to the toilet
- Urgency or frequent toileting
- Accidents during the day
Early development history
- Skipped crawling or minimal crawling
- Bottom shuffling instead of crawling
- Delayed gross motor milestones
- Preference for one side of the body early on
Understanding Your Child’s Results
0 to 3 selections: Often within typical development. If you still have concerns, we’re here to guide you.
4 to 8 selections: There may be underlying patterns influencing development. Book a consultation.
9 or more selections: A more comprehensive assessment may provide clarity. This may include:
- Primitive Reflex Testing
- Myofunctional Assessment
- Movement and Postural Screening
How Primitive Reflexes Can Impact Daily Life
Primitive reflexes form part of a developmental “ladder”, where each stage builds on the next. If one step is missed or not fully integrated:
- Skills may feel inconsistent
- Learning may require more effort
- Emotional responses may feel bigger or harder to regulate
This is why some children may appear:
- Capable one moment, but struggle the next
- Coordinated in some tasks, but not others
- Easily overwhelmed despite trying their best
Our Approach at Lake View Dental & Wellness
We take a whole-body, integrated approach:
Primitive Reflex Testing: to understand how your child’s nervous system is organising movement and function.
Myofunctional Therapy: to support tongue posture, breathing patterns and oral muscle function.
Exercise Physiology: to improve postural control, strength and coordination, and movement efficiency.
This ensures we support both the neurological foundation (brain) and the physical expression (body and mouth).
Why Early Support Matters
When these patterns are identified early, it can support:
- More efficient breathing
- Improved oral habits
- Better posture and coordination
- Optimal dental and jaw development
- Greater ease in learning and daily activities
Next Steps
If this raises questions, you don’t need to figure it out alone. Book your child’s assessment with our team.