Resources to Help Integrate Reflexes

All items available on Amazon - click the link or picture below to be directed to the item in a new window.

These items and activities have multiple functions and can all be used individually or separately for different exercises. They are all useful in integrating primitive reflexes and developing core strength. Crossing midline, balancing, and coordination are all skills affected by reflexes so these activities help improve those skills.

Exercises for Reflex Integration

Animal Walks

Alligator crawl, bird dogs, bear crawl, crab walk, dead bug, donkey kicks, flamingo hops, stick bug (plank), whale (superman)

Heel Taps

Lay on back, arms at sides and knees bent. Raise shoulders and head off the ground - reach right hand to right heel, repeat on left, keep alternating (try to stay flat)

Starfish/Crunch Ball

Lay flat on back with arms and legs out. Slowly bring arms and legs in - cross right arm and right leg over left, extend and repeat with left over right (go slow and alternate)

Cat/Cow

Begin in quadruped (on hands and knees with back flat) - slowly hunch back like a cat and tuck chin under, slowly scoop back out like a cow and lift chin all the way up, keep alternating (keep elbows straight)

Robot

Begin laying flat on stomach with head turned to right side - move right arm and leg into L shapes (both bent at 90), turn head to left side. Bring right arm and leg back to center. Move left arm and leg into L shapes (both bent at 90), turn head to right side. Bring left arm and leg back to center. Repeat 10x each side.

Yoga

Cat/cow, down dog, bow, quadruped reach/quadruped cross crawl, boat, side bend, side plank, bridge, bicycle

Finger Opposition

Using a stress ball or play-doh, start by squeezing the object with all fingers - then individually: index to thumb, middle to thumb, ring to thumb, pinky to thumb and repeat in backwards order. Repeat 10x each hand.

Rooting Strokes

Stroke face horizontally from ear to mouth with light pressure 3 times, each stroke a little lower than previous. Stroke face vertically from nose to chin with light pressure 3 times, each stroke a little higher than previous. Repeat 3x each side.