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Integrating
Retained
Primitive Reflexes
For Learning
Disorders
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Dr. Samuel Jamieson specializes
in treating learning difficulties including ADD, ADHD, dyslexia,
developmental delays, autism and autistic spectrum disorders. As part of
this treatment, he checks for not properly integrated
primitive reflexes. With a sequence of correct adjustments, he can
facilitate their integration without needing additional neurological
exercises.
Learning difficulty is a major problem.
It has been estimated that 15-20% of children in our society suffer some
degree of learning difficulty. Studies show that today 1 in 6 children in
the US have Autism, ADD, ADHD or dyslexia. California has the highest
population of Autistic Spectrum Disorders. We know that caring 24 by 7 for
your child is an impossible task. We all want to help our children in any
way possible so they can reach their full potential and enjoy life as fully
as possible. Unfortunately, few of us realize that the consequences of
learning difficulty can be far more disturbing.
Children with
learning difficulty are more prone to depression and anxiety. Some children
show social and behavioral issues such as obsessive compulsive disorders,
obsessions and phobias, even aggressions, tantrums and self-hurt behavior. Juvenile suicide is an increasing and
disturbing phenomenon. These children also more sensitive to auto-immune
issues, and battle with inflammations, gut problems and allergies.
Unfortunately,
many of us don’t always see the relationship between the learning
disabilities and behavioral issues and the physical and emotional condition
of the child.
Relationship between Learning and Behavior and the
Triangle of Health.
A large
proportion of those suffering from learning difficulty can be, and have
been helped. But about 15% of students do not learn easily despite
excellent teaching, parenting and individual tutoring.
This is because
the basis for the complex skills that are required for learning and behavior is dependent on the structural, emotional and
biochemical systems of the body and how well they work together. Dr.
Jamieson calls it the triangle of
health. Our
children are healthy both physically and intellectually when their
structural, biochemical, and emotional aspects are harmoniously balanced.
Each side of the triangle influences the other two sides.
 Structural
interferences cause diminished brain, nerve and organ function impacting
learning and behavior.
The biochemical system and the gut is in many cases a
mirror of the neurological system. Inflammation in the gut often means
inflammation in the brain. The biochemical system is greatly impacted by
what your child eats and the toxins and allergens it is exposed to.
Many children have food sensitivities to gluten, casein,
sugar and/or corn causing severe inflammation in the brain. Eating
a healthy restricted diet and eliminating toxins and allergens will
greatly improve their learning and behavioral issues and strengthen
their immune system.
Emotions such as fear, anger, grief and many others can
negatively affect your child long after the original event that caused
them. When they fail to “let go” of these emotions they can start showing
self-sabotaging behaviors, destructive beliefs, phobias and many chronic
physical problems. Dr. Jamieson can unlock those emotions with Neuro-Emotional
Technique. Anxiety and phobias disappear causing the activity of the
brain to normalize and improving learning and behavior.
Learning and behavioral issues can only be treated when
looking at the body holistically. That’s why there is little use trying to force extra
teaching or behavior modification upon a system in which the basic
intrinsic modules for learning and behavior are not correctly functioning.
Retained
primitive reflexes are also a major problem that disrupts the structural,
emotional and biochemical bases of learning and behavior.
Primitive Reflexes.
Primitive reflexes
are needed for survival and development in the womb and in early months of
life. During this time, the higher centers of our central nervous system
are not fully developed. That’s why we are protected and assisted by
reflexes, controlled by lower centers of our brain. A reflex does not
involve thinking, it is an involuntary response. For example an external
stimulus such as a touch, noise, heat or an internal stimulus like hunger
triggers an automatic, involuntary reaction if the relevant reflex is
active. As higher brain centers begin to mature enough for conscious
control of activity, the involuntary, uncontrollable reflex responses are a
nuisance. The reflexes anatomically and neurologically stay for the
remainder of our life, but, if all is well, they are integrated into the
higher control center of our brain.
Retained Primitive Reflexes can cause serious conditions.
Primitive reflexes ideally begin to function in a particular order and are
integrated in a specific sequence. If they are retained out of sequence,
they disturb the development and integration of subsequent reflexes. If
they are retained beyond their normal age of integration they can disturb
some or all of the functions of higher brain centers, which includes
behavior, learning, the integration of gross or fine movements and more.
Primitive
reflexes are automatic, stimulus-elicited without involvement of our higher
decision making processes. Your child has little or no control over their
elicitation. Some examples of primitive reflexes that are often retained
and how they can affect our children are:
·
Fear Paralysis
Reflex: Parasympathetic ANS
issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, SIDS
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Moro Reflex: Sympathetic ANS issues such as
aggression, ADHD, asthma, immune system disorders
·
Palmar Reflex: Poor verbal and written expression, fine
motor skills, posture
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Asymmetric
Tonic Neck Reflex: Learning
difficulties, misjudging distances, shoulder injuries
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Rooting Reflex: Hormonal dysfunctions in the HPA axis,
especially thyroid
·
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflexes: Motion sickness, LD, Balance and visual
disturbances
·
Spinal Galant Reflex: Hyperactivity, Bedwetting, Scoliosis, Gait abnormalities
Structural Corrections for Retained Primitive Reflexes.
Dr. Jamieson can identify which
Primitive Reflexes have not been fully integrated and make the correct
structural adjustments to facilitate this integration. He can assist the
integration of retained primitive reflexes with specialized cranio-sacral corrections. In particular, the
correction of specific cranio-sacral faults while
putting the child in postures related to primitive reflexes, removes the
inhibition to normal primitive reflex integration. This allows the higher
brain centers to integrate the reflexes.
Once primitive reflexes are
integrated, your child should start receiving greater benefit from other
therapies such as Neurofeedback
Therapy, which we offer at our office. But also Occupational Therapy
(Speech & Language (S&L), Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID)),
Social Therapy (Relational Development Interface (RDI)
and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)) and Tutoring. Their results are greatly
enhanced if structural, biochemical and emotional
interferences and retained primitive reflexes are treated first.
There is hope for your child. We can help.
Learning and behavioral issues
can only be treated effectively when looking at the body as a whole. Retained Primitive Reflexes are
just one major problem that disrupts the structural, emotional and
biochemical bases of learning and behavior.
We want to let you know that
there is hope. Dr. Jamieson can help your child by identifying and
correcting the structural, biochemical and emotional interferences of your
child’s health. In addition, we offer Advanced
Neurofeedback therapy, which is the most effective brain training
available today.
To learn more about our integrative
approach and how we have helped many children, read our newsletter “Do
you know a child with a developmental disorder?”
Call us today at 408 517-0706 and set up an
appointment for your child now!
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