Neuro-development in Children- Part 2

DR. ELISABETH BOUDERLIQUE and DR. BIRGIT DÜRR have specialized in behavioral disorders in children from a neurodevelopmental perspective. They were interviewed by PURNIMA RAMAKRISHNA for World Mental Health Day, October 2020, and in part 2 they explore reflexes, the brain hemispheres, and creating rhythm in the brain.

- PURNIMA RAMAKRISHNA

BD: The two most important aspects of supporting the development of the brain are integrating primitive reflexes through motor exercises and stimulating the underdeveloped hemisphere, mainly with sensory stimulation.

If there is no damage or pathology in the brain, if it is an electrical imbalance, it can be corrected. And when the imbalance in the brain is corrected, all of the other imbalances are most often corrected as well.

Q: Primitive reflexes. Can you tell us more about their role in brain development?

EB: Primitive reflexes are automatic, stereotypical movements essential for the development in the womb and during the baby’s first months. They are part of a normal pediatrician’s examination. These primitive reflexes develop in the brainstem before birth and contribute to the development of the nervous system. They help the baby to come out of the birth canal and are the foundation necessary for the baby’s development. They are essential for survival during the first weeks of life. These reflexes allow the baby to interact with the world and thus contribute to the development of their brain. Most of these primitive reflexes are integrated (meaning we don’t see them anymore) during the first year of life, as a more complex part of the brain takes control.

The most common primitive reflexes are:

Fear Paralysis Reflex
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex
Moro Reflex
Spinal Galant
Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex
Babinski Reflex
Palmar Grasp
Rooting /Sucking Snout Reflex