Full Course Description

Integrating Primitive Reflexes for Optimal Function: Neurological Approaches from Early Intervention to Adolescence

The presence of retained primitive reflexes can exacerbate hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and challenges with processing sensory stimuli.

This course will teach you what happens when trauma exposes primitive reflex dominance and influences overall function.

Through the lens of a physical therapist and an occupational therapist, this course provides you guidance to re-envision treatment planning and strategies.

This course reviews the primitive reflexes and highlights the impact on developmental skills, learning, and behavior from function to dysfunction. We review the central nervous system anatomy and physiology as it relates to reflexive motor patterns, which includes the cranial nerves, and the various levels of the central nervous system. Learn to integrate primitive reflexes and reduce their influences on higher-level skills. You’ll leave with treatment strategies including case examples, useful handouts, and activities to address handwriting, dressing, eating, and positioning.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Determine how primitive reflexes and approaches to managing symptoms improve function.
  2. Investigate the neurological connections to inform clinical treatment interventions. 
  3. Evaluate the signs of retained primitive reflexes and the clinical implications to develop appropriate treatment plans and intervention.
  4. Analyze case studies of children presenting with primitive reflexes in a clinical setting to increase ability to detect during assessment and evaluation.
  5. Perform treatment strategies to work through reflexive patterns to improve treatment outcomes.
  6. Measure the influence of the visual system for symptom management of the primitive reflex patterns to incorporate in treatment interventions.
  7. Apply patient strategy techniques, such as history, imaging, movement patterns to improve client engagement.

Outline

Neurological Overview

  • Primitive Reflex – Need to know
  • From “infancy to classroom”
    • Affects in development and learning
  • Tone qualities and influencers
    • Positions challenges and alterations for optimal function
    • “Behavior” – or is it non-integrated reflexes
  • Nervous System Anatomy and Brain Loops – Sensory In, Motor Out
    • Reticular activating system – how underlying wiring of CNS interprets sensory information coming in and motor output
      • Extension and Flexion patterns
      • Influence on facilitation and inhibition
    • Brainstem
      • Cranial nerve stimulation
      • Vagus nerve connection to withdrawal reflexes
    • Midbrain
      • Mammal brain/survival brain – present moment
      • Positive short commands to redirect function
    • Cortex
      • Higher level skills
      • Integration through sensory reception

From Function to Dysfunction of Primitive Reflexes

  • Causes of retention and obligatory reflex demonstration
    • Under-developed central nervous system
    • Traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury, concussion and sensory disorders
    • Social influences
      • Trauma and the Sympathetic Nervous System activation
      • Reflex demonstration resulting from acute stress and trauma
  • Triggers
    • Sensory filters – reticular activating system
    • Sensory disorders and primitive reflex connection
      • Moro and hypersensitivity
      • Sensory-based motor disorders and bilateral integration
      • Primitive Reflexes influence on challenges with toileting, eating, sleeping, and tantrums (TEST)

Primitive Reflex Treatment Strategies

  • Activities to address function:
    • Handwriting, dressing, eating
    • Positioning and external aids (including brain rhythm)
    • Visual alignment – power reduction and directional integration of primitive reflex patterns
    • Increasing sensory awareness and processing to attend to movement patterns
    • Influencing the brain rhythm
  • Treatments
    • Chart of primitive reflexes with treatment suggestions
  • Conclusion
    • Next steps
    • Moving from obligatory to voluntary control

Target Audience

  • Physical Therapist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Speech Language Pathologist
  • Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Early Interventionist

Copyright : 11/17/2020

Primitive Reflexes: The Foundation for Function – Case Study

Primitive reflexes are the developmental groundwork for independence. When they do not properly integrate, primitive reflexes can overpower executive functioning, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. This course reviews treatment strategies to improve participation and function in children and adolescent.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Analyze primitive reflexes affecting function through case examples 
  2. Assess the neurological connections to address challenges with self-regulation  
  3. Demonstrate treatment strategies involving self-regulation and mindfulness techniques to decrease the activation of reflexive patterns  

Outline

  • Case examples   
    • Activation of primitive reflexes 
      • Younger Child 
      • Adolescent  
  • How primitive reflexes connect to Self-Regulation 
    • Neurological pathways for executive function, sensory processing, and emotional regulation  
  • Case study 
  • History 
  • Evaluation 
  • Treatment
    • The 9 Targets  
    • Contextual Sensory Intervention  
    • Results 

Target Audience

  • Physical Therapist 
  • Occupational Therapist 
  • Speech Language Pathologist 
  • Physical Therapy Assistant 
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant 
  • Early Interventionist 

Copyright : 09/28/2020

Address Primitive Reflexes and Promote Functional Skills – Case Study

Understanding primitive reflexes and how they live in the lower brain centers gives us control in the integration process.  Nervous system damage or challenges require neuroplasticity tools for effective treatment.  This one-hour lecture will give you a new perspective on how to enter the central nervous system with sensory information to assist in rewiring around impairments for improved motor outcomes.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Apply principles of an understanding of the primitive reflex function and integration. 
  2. Differentiate non-effective and effective treatments for pediatric patients. 
  3. Build functional knowledge about how to change spastic patterns to promote voluntary motion. 

Outline

Evaluation – Look at the patient functionally to see the nervous system 

  • Purpose for primitive reflexes 
Causes for primitive reflex obligatory demonstration 
  • How the brain relates information for survival 
Case study 
History 
Evaluation 
Treatment – Cranial nerve sensory pathways used for rewiring 
  • Use of lobes for neuroplasticity advancement 
  • How to naturally decrease spasticity effectively 
  • Progress of the patient 
  • Results 

Target Audience

  • Physical Therapist 
  • Occupational Therapist 
  • Speech Language Pathologist 
  • Physical Therapy Assistant 
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant 
  • Early Interventionist 

Copyright : 09/12/2020

Primitive Reflexes: A Deeper Look into the Nervous System Pathways

This course will provide you with a deeper understanding of reflex and response mechanisms.
Discussion around the functional relationships between primitive reflexes and sympathetic nervous system interaction will assist in control of the treatment area.
You’ll learn inside and outside environmental considerations that impede primitive reflex integration to improve clinical outcomes!

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Determine the differences between primitive reflexes, response reactions and equilibrium responses.
  2. Distinguish the area of the nervous system involved in reflexes and responses.
  3. Extrapolate the functional relationships to development, orientation and engagement of the nervous system in integration techniques.

Outline

A Higher-Level Look

  • Why this information is needed
  • Elements of reflex influence
  • Functional relationships of reflexes and higher level skills
Primitive Reflexes
  • Tips on evaluation of residual primitive reflexes
  • Primitive reflexes and sensory influence
Righting Response
  • Alignment
  • Vision and proprioception
Equilibrium Responses
  • Orientation and protection
  • Movement and upright posture control

Target Audience

  • Physical Therapist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Speech Language Pathologist
  • Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Educator
  • Early Interventionist

Copyright : 05/08/2020

COVID-19: Addressing Social and Collective Trauma in Children, Adolescents and their Families

This 90-minute recording unveils the concepts of social and collective trauma. Children, adolescents, and their families are impacted by societal events such as pandemics, war, natural disasters, and violent events. You will learn activities and concepts to address the impact of trauma. You will also learn unique approaches for maintaining routine, sensory-based strategies, respiratory-based techniques, and mindfulness and the connection to trauma care. The recording concludes with discussions about the future and moving beyond the trauma.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Demonstrate how social and collective trauma impacts children and their families 
  2. Assess the impact of social and collective trauma for children who have a history of complex trauma, presenting with hyper-activity, hypo-activity, aggressiveness, self-stimulatory, issues of attachment, and inattentiveness
  3. Implement techniques such as use of routine, sensory-based strategies, mindfulness, activation of the Vagus nerve, and respiratory-based techniques to improve comfort and security

Outline

Social and Collective Trauma

  • Including those who have a history of complex trauma
  • Impact on children, adolescents and their caregivers 
  • Effects of social isolation and resulting sensory deprivation 

Treatment Approaches

  • Use of routine
  • Sensory-based strategies
  • Mindfulness
  • Activation of the Vagus nerve
  • Respiratory-based techniques

Planning for the Future…Moving Beyond Trauma

  • Interactive plans, goals, and vision boards
  • Autobiographies and video diaries 

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Psychotherapists
  • Therapists
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Teachers
  • School Guidance Counselors
  • Case Managers
  • School Administrators
  • Educational Paraprofessionals
  • Nurses
  • Speech and Language Pathologists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Other helping professionals who work with children

Copyright : 03/31/2020

Pediatric Pain

Successfully assessing and treating pain in your pediatric patients can be challenging.

Kids who don’t respond to your current therapeutic approach, make it impossible for you to meet therapy goals. Have you ever stopped to wonder if some of these challenges stem from a child’s inability to effectively communicate how they’re feeling.

We’ve got you covered. Come ready to learn ways to effectively not only treat pain, but methods to help a child live their best life.

Watch nationally acclaimed, award-winning pediatric expert Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT and Mica Foster, DC to maximize every session with effective multisystem approaches:

  • Tap into the language of the nervous system to decrease pain and improve function
  • Unlock signs, symptoms, and complicating factors of pain
  • Discover how pain changes the brain
  • Pair neurological connections to promote neuroplasticity and for better outcomes
  • Empower patients and caregivers with education and easy-to-use home programs

But that’s not all – you’ll learn manual therapy techniques for better sensory integration, better alignment, and movement coordination. Plus, learn age-appropriate mindfulness techniques and tools that effectively tune the nervous system. Stop pain from progressing into trauma that can last a lifetime.

Uncovering the root cause interfering with function is your key to therapy success!

Purchase today!

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Develop techniques in the evaluation process for pediatric cases with pain.
  2. Differentiate types of pain – acute, chronic, birth trauma, surgery, and complicated factors.
  3. Determine which body postures or gestures indicate pain in the child.
  4. Employ evidence-based biopsychosocial systematic therapeutic evaluation and support.
  5. Develop therapeutic and manual skills to effectively decrease pain in pediatric cases.
  6. Utilize a pain relief home program for parents and caregivers.

Outline

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Pediatric Patient

  • Case Studies –
    • Birth trauma
    • Head and neck disfunction
    • Cerebral palsy
    • Neurological deficits and more
Evidence-based Biopsychosocial Model of Pain
  • Systematically setting the tone for therapy
  • Addressing the multi-dimensional aspects of pediatric pain
Types of Pain
  • Acute vs chronic pain
  • Most common pain complaints in pediatric populationmusculoskeletal, headaches, and abdominal pain
Signs, Symptoms, and Complicating Factors
  • Body postures, gestures, and tone
  • Emotional responses and subjective pain scales/ratings
Neurological Pathways Illustrated
  • Physiological responses to injury and surgery
    • How does the brain of a child process pain
    • Factors that influence pain perceptions
How Pain Changes the Brain
  • Long-term upregulated stress response
  • Sensitization
  • Fear-avoidance behaviors
  • Emotional/behavioral effects
Exercises to Pair Neurological Connections for Better Outcomes
  • Modify pain perception, expectations, and rumination
  • Age-related or developmental-related
  • Engagement and empowerment
    • Age, language, culture, socioeconomic status, nutrition, and developmental maturity
Manual Therapy Techniques
  • Assess past experiences of therapy – good/bad results, additional trauma
Mindfulness Techniques – Breath, Movement, and Art
  • Educate patients in self-management calming the neuropathways, vagus nerve, parasympathetic and sympathetic balance
  • Breath to tone autonomic nervous system and stress response
  • Art – subjective expression and tuning into a child’s imagination
Educating and Empowering Caregivers
  • Every case is different
  • Promote support structure
  • Connecting caregivers with resource tools

Target Audience

  • Physical Therapists
  • Physical Therapist Assistants
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Speech-Language Therapists
  • Chiropractors
  • Pediatric Nurses
  • Other Rehab and Healthcare Professionals

Copyright : 05/05/2023

Primitive Reflexes Influence on Eye Alignment & Body Function: What to Look for & How to Treat

Nervous system damage and challenges require neuroplasticity tools to place reflexes in the background. And, the solution to increasing progress requires neurological interventions, such as implementing sensory exercises – since all children learn through sensation.  This 2-hour lecture gives you a new perspective on how to enter the midbrain and brainstem with sensory information to assist in rewiring around impairments for improved motor and learning outcomes through Neuroplasticity techniques.

This course will show you how to:  

✔ Recognize the cause of primitive reflexes and treat them 

✔ Find primitive reflexes that influence active movements, successful suck and swallow, rolling, coming to sitting and balance and learn to promote developmental milestones 

✔ Locate hidden reflex patterns that will affect higher-level skills later 

✔ Learn the “Color Clock” ©karenpryor2021 for eyes and tongue to assist integration at the cranial nerve level 

✔ And more!

Watch Dr. Karen Pryor as she shows you how to identify significant reflexes, and easy to understand integration techniques as well as tips for a smooth conversion to home programs.  

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Appraise what to look for in eye alignment and the relationship to primitive reflex patterns in the face and body.
  2. Investigate central nervous system abnormalities and/or pain that results in decreased function of the cortical lobes and increased use of the lower brain centers.
  3. Differentiate how primitive reflexes are tested active verses passive movement.

Outline

  • Testing, Identifying, and Integration Demonstration
    • Start with the head
  • Observe and document
    • Start with the face
    • Eyes, facial tone, tongue
  • Primitive reflexes of face and mouth
  • Eye and tongue exercises to disarm primitive reflex power
  • Pain influence on primitive reflexes
  • Misalignment of neck and back
    • What to do to promote rotational movements
  • Passive verses active testing for primitive reflexes
  • Positional testing
  • PPRI Color Clock
  • ATNR, TNR, Moro, TLR, Galant

Target Audience

  • Physical Therapists
  • Physical Therapy Assistants
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Athletic Trainers
  • Chiropractors

Copyright : 08/30/2021

Adult Central Nervous System Injuries Relationships to Primitive Reflexes – Symptoms and Treatments Using Simple Neuroplasticity Techniques

Adults with CVA, TIA, closed head injuries, concussions and spinal cord trauma demonstrate patterns of movement and dysfunction related to primitive reflex patterns. The primitive movement synergies present coupled with spastic tone qualities. Fortunately, you will discover how to treat these reflex patterns to reduce tone through neuroplasticity techniques. You will expand your skillset by learning how to calm the nervous system and reframe motor and sensory responses to promote active movement and increased function. Be prepared for a new and transformational approach to augment outcomes of neurologic trauma.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Describe brain injuries and the accompanying neurological synergistic patterns.
  2. Discuss how spasticity can be reduced using simple sensory techniques.
  3. Build a regime of evaluation of the central nervous system, tone qualities and effective treatments.
  4. Appraise the ability changes in patients and build viable home programs.

Outline

  • Evaluation of the central nervous system
    • Calming the nervous system
    • Reframing the Nervous system and motor/sensory responses
    • Brainstem
    • Midbrain
    • Lobes of the brain – Function, injury, treatments
      • Frontal lobe – Emotion and executive function
      • Temporal lobe – Hearing, balance, speech
      • Occipital lobe - Vision
      • Parietal lobe - Movement
      • Cerebellum – Smooth movements
  • Primitive reflex patterns
    • Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex – Flexed upper extremity and extension in lower extremity
    • Moro reflex – feeding and eye direction
    • Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex – Loss of rotation
  • Putting it all together/Summary
    • Home programs for your patient

Target Audience

  • Chiropractors
  • Nurses
  • Physical Therapists
  • Physical Therapist Assistants
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Speech Language Pathologists
  • Other Rehab Health Professionals

Copyright : 12/05/2022

Q&A with Dr. Pryor and Dr. Gibbs

Copyright : 11/20/2020