Full Course Description

2-Day Advanced Course: Primitive Reflex Integration

As therapists, when we treat the causes and symptoms of motor delays, we can utilize alternate brain pathways to improve the effects of therapy.

Through neuroplasticity, we have the power to make this happen! It acts as an adaptive mechanism to compensate for lost connection allowing us to maximize remaining function!

From congenital abnormalities (Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Angelman Syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and more….) to traumatic brain injuries, this course delivers new and exciting ideas on how to detour around damage and incorporate viable nervous system connections.

Dr. Karen Pryor, PT, DPT, will teach you:

How therapy can change the brain and how neuroplasticity will improve motor skills in a child’s development
Creative and evidenced-based approaches to incorporate into a multisensory learning experience
The importance of diverse and novel activities during treatment sessions
The link between primitive reflexes and development
How to evaluate the influence of primitive reflexes and effects on the
CNS developmental stages relating to motor function

Video case studies will demonstrate changes before and after integrative neuroplasticity treatments. The therapy techniques you learn in this course can easily be integrated into the clinic or home the next day, leading to increased developmental success.

Program Information

Objectives

Describe the primitive reflexes’ influence on movement patterns.
Identify the multilayer approach using neuroanatomy and brain function.
Evaluate strategies to incorporate techniques into home programs for parents and caregivers.
Recognize the importance of positive treatment sessions and verbal cues.
Analyze the relationship between brain dysfunction and tone abnormalities.
Restate different approaches to changing low and high tone qualities.
Identify primitive reflexes and how they contribute to development.
Articulate testing and influences of the retention or primitive reflexes.
Demonstrate the integration exercise, including modifications, for each reflex.
Identify the behavioral and physical systems associated with each reflex.
Examine why the reflexes may still be present.
Discuss what reflex integration can accomplish.

Outline

NEUROANATOMY & BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Brain stem and functions
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe

BRAIN DAMAGE & MISSING PARTS

Neurodevelopmental screens
Examples of damage
What is working and what is not
Where to rewire
Therapy as infants – faster change
Going deep into the brain, beyond the level of damage

BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS

High tone
Low tone
Nystagmus
Tremors

HOW TO APPROACH TREATMENTS

Developmental milestone review
Sensory motor development
Vision
Vision and hearing
Speech
Sensation
Primitive reflex patterns and influence
Opening the hands for exploration
Developmental delay and when to go back a step in therapy treatments

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM & GUIDING IT FOR POSITIVE CHANGE

Lobes next door
Videos of before and after sensory stimulation combinations
Why vision is vitally important and how it can be stimulated
How these concepts can be explained to parents and caregivers
The brain is clay and how to make a model

THE PRIMARY & SECONDARY RESULTS OF NEUROPLASTICITY TECHNIQUES

Changing the way the brain connects
Primitive reflex integration and increased active movements
The “Team” – patient, therapist, and parent/caregiver
Sensory stimulation to promote appropriate motor response
Smooth movements
Strength is not the same as tone
Simple activities to present to parents

HOW TO INTEGRATE NEUROPLASTICITY INTO YOUR THERAPY PROGRAM

Sensation is 3-dimensional
Climb through the cloth tube
Vision exercises
Sensory stimulation for high tone vs. low tone

BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND IMPAIRMENTS RELATED TO:

Brain stem
Mid brain
Cerebellum
Cortex –
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe
Parietal lobe
Frontal lobe

EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT

Demonstration of primitive reflexes
How retained reflexes act on developmental milestones
Reasons for primitive reflex retention or re-emergence
How primitive reflexes interfere with higher level skills – Reading, writing, sensory processing

DETAIL

Palmar grasp
Plantar grasp
Symmetrical Tonic Neck
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
Moro Reflex
Extension synergy
Flexion synergy

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Speech-Language Pathologists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Educators
Early Interventionists

Copyright : 04/15/2021

Spastic Patterns Post-Brain Injury: Utilizing Primitive Reflex Treatment Strategies

What happens when a patient has a cerebral vascular accident, closed head injury or anoxia? The symptom demonstrated may be eye misalignment and/or spastic muscle tone. The symptoms resemble primitive reflex patterns. Do you brace and manage symptoms or treat the cause? When one treats the cause, the symptoms are easier to treat and faster to remedy through neuroplasticity techniques.

Program Information

Objectives

Distinguish motor changes based upon neurological central nervous system injuries and degenerative diagnosis.
Demonstrate new skills to unlock significant relief of tremor activity in a patient with anoxic brain injury and cerebral vascular accident.
Analyze the influence of the central nervous system post CVA to determine what layer of the brain is active and how to reduce symptoms by treating the causal source.

Outline

Central Nervous System Injuries

CNS anatomy
Relate motor function change with injury and degenerative diseases

Relief of Tremor Activity

Etiology of tremors
New skills for unlocking significant relief of tremor activity with anoxic brain injury and cerebral vascular accident
How to treat tremors in the clinic and home setting

Rewire connections to Improve Motor Function

Influence of CNS post CVA
Determine which layer of the brain is active
Reduce symptoms by treating the causal source instead of just the symptoms

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Athletic Trainers
Exercise Physiologist

Copyright : 07/31/2020

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

Determine the differences between primitive reflexes, response reactions and equilibrium responses.
Distinguish the area of the nervous system involved in reflexes and responses.
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

Primitive Reflex Integration: Testing, Identifying and Demonstrating Patterns

Program Information

Objectives

Appraise what to look for in eye alignment and the relationship to primitive reflex patterns in the face and body.
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.
Differentiate how primitive reflexes are tested active verses passive movement.
Integrate rotational patterns using vision, neck, trunk, upper extremities and lower extremities for integration and increased voluntary movement.

Outline

Observe and Document
- Start with the face
- Eyes, facial tone, tongue
Primitive reflexes of face and mouth
Eye and tongue exercises
- Disarm primitive reflex power
Pain influence on primitive reflexes
Misalignment of neck and back
- How to promote rotational movements
Passive verses active testing for primitive reflexes
Positional testing
PPRI Color Clock
Demonstrations:
- ATNR, TNR, Moro, TLR, Galant

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Speech-Language Pathologists