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Digital Seminar

Primitive Reflex Integration: Neuroplasticity Techniques for Functional Success in Pediatrics


Speaker:
Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, CH, CFPS
Duration:
Approx 6 hrs
Copyright:
Mar 26, 2025
Product Code:
POS065558
Media Type:
Digital Seminar - Also available: Live Webinar


Description

Many pediatric therapists face the frustrating reality of treating children whose progress is hindered by retained primitive reflexes. These reflexes, when not properly integrated, can impede the development of essential motor and cognitive skills, making it difficult to achieve desired outcomes in therapy.

In this workshop, Dr. Karen Pryor, an expert in pediatric neuroplasticity with over 40 years of experience, will guide you through the process of identifying when a retained reflex creates a functional impact and how to address it effectively. You’ll learn to:

  • Restore functional strength more quickly by addressing root reflex issues
  • Enhance fine and gross motor skills through targeted reflex integration exercises
  • Improve sensory processing abilities by resolving retained reflexes
  • Increase the effectiveness of interventions for ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities
  • Develop and implement reflex integration techniques that are easy to incorporate into everyday practice

Dr. Pryor’s extensive background in early intervention, combined with her innovative neuroplasticy techniques, will provide you with the tools to make informed decisions about when to intervene and how to do so effectively. This course will empower you to create individualized, client-centered treatment plans that lead to significant improvements in your patients’ functional outcomes, helping you elevate your clinical practice to the next level.

Credit

Planning Committee Disclosure - No relevant relationships

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.



* Credit Note - Self-Study CE Information Coming Soon

Continuing education credit information is coming soon for this non-interactive self-study package.

CEs may be available for select professions, as listed in the target audience. Hours will be dependent on the actual recording time. Please check with your state licensing board or organization for specific requirements. 

There may be an additional fee for CE certificates. Please contact our Customer Service at 1-800-844-8260 for more details. 

**Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your professions standards.



Speaker

Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, CH, CFPS's Profile

Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, CH, CFPS Related seminars and products

Health Sphere Wellness Center


Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, CH, CFPS, has a doctorate in physical therapy and has practiced for 40 years in the field. Dr. Pryor is the owner of Health Sphere Wellness Center, an integrative therapy clinic in Nashville, Tennessee. Involved with early intervention in the birth-three population for over 30 years, she has developed neuroplasticity techniques that are used in a wide variety of settings, including homes, childcare centers, and school systems, to advanced pediatric therapy programs.

 

Dr. Pryor serves on several boards, including the Leadership Interagency Council for Early Intervention (2014-2019), a position to which she was appointed by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. In 2010, she received the President's Volunteer Service Award for her contributions to the advanced treatment of children from President Barack Obama. In addition to her work with children, Dr. Pryor has served as an adjunct professor at the Tennessee State University Occupational Therapy Assistant program. She is a clinical instructor for several universities and colleges. With her years of experience and passion for complete wellness, Dr. Pryor advances a more expansive view of how to integrate therapy throughout the lifespan by using neuroplasticity techniques.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Karen Pryor is the owner of Health Sphere Wellness Center, LLC and is a field examiner for PDMS-3. She has employment relationships with Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Physical Therapy School, the Daymar Physical Therapy Assistant School and the Volunteer State Community College. She is a paid consultant for Evergreen Certifications. Karen Pryor receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Karen Pryor is a reviewer with Tennessee Physical Therapy Association and American Physical Therapy Association. She is an Ambassador for National Down Syndrome Society.


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info


Objectives

  1. Analyze the impact of retained primitive reflexes on development.
  2. Identify retained primitive reflexes in pediatric patients using standardized assessment tools.
  3. Develop targeted intervention plans based on assessment results to improve functional outcomes in children with ADHD.
  4. Examine the relationship between primitive reflex retention and cognitive function in relation to academic performance and learning disabilities.
  5. Evaluate the effectiveness of various reflex integration exercises by measuring improvements in motor coordination and sensory processing in children with developmental delays
  6. Choose neuroplasticity-based interventions to restore functional strength and improve gross motor skills.

Outline

Primitive Reflexes Uncovered: The Foundations
  • Brain development: Brain stem, midbrain, cerebellum, and cortex
  • Evaluation and demonstration of primitive reflexes
  • How some retained reflexes can hinder developmental milestones
  • Key research on the role of primitive reflexes in sensory processing and learning disabilities
  • Correlation vs. causation
  • Limitations and risks
5 Signs You’re Overlooking Retained Primitive Reflexes in Your Patients
  • Key indicators that reflexes are still present
  • Interference and atypical voluntary movements that interfere with occupational tasks
  • Impact on higher-level skills like reading, writing, and sensory processing
  • Why these reflexes might be retained or re-emerge
  • Practical demonstrations linked to evidence-based assessment tools
Primitive Reflexes: A Deep Dive
  • Detailed coverage of:
    • Palmar Grasp
    • Plantar Grasp
    • Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Tonic Neck
    • Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
    • Moro Reflex
    • Synergy patterns
  • How to collaborate with other healthcare providers for comprehensive care
Top 5 Treatment Modalities You’ll Learn:
  • Reflex integration exercises
  • Neuroplasticity-based interventions
  • Sensorimotor activities to promote occupational tasks
  • Cognitive-motor integration techniques
  • Adaptive equipment and technology to assist with reflex integration
Effectively Address Challenges Related To:
  • Visual motor skills
  • Social skills
  • Focus and learning
  • Play skills
How to Boost Neuroplasticity in Pediatric Patients Using Simple Reflex Techniques
  • Guided demonstrations to disarm primitive reflex strength
  • Techniques for integrating reflexes and improving motor skills
  • Link reflex integration to improvements in ADLs, IADLs, play, and education
Case Studies in Neuroplasticity
  • Strategies for integrating brain stem functions and enhancing cortical abilities
  • Real-world examples of reflex integration in complex cases
    • 17 year-old anoxic male
    • 8 month-old with stroke at birth and cortical vision impairment
    • Genetic non-myelination and smooth brain 9 month-old female with tone abnormalities

Target Audience

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

Reviews

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