When a child struggles to sit still, focus, or control impulsive behaviour, parents often wonder if it’s just a “stage” or something more like ADHD. But sometimes, what looks like an attention or behaviour problem can be rooted in something most parents have never heard of: a retained primitive reflex.
What Are Primitive Reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are automatic movements that babies are born with. They help newborns survive in the early months — things like sucking, grasping, and startling. These reflexes are meant to fade away as the brain develops and higher thinking takes over.
When everything develops as it should, these reflexes disappear by about 12 months of age. But for some children, certain reflexes don’t fully integrate. When that happens, they can continue to affect how the child’s brain and body respond to the world.
The Moro Reflex Explained
One of the most influential of these reflexes is the Moro reflex — often called the startle reflex. You might recognise it in a baby who suddenly throws their arms wide, takes a deep breath, and cries when startled by a loud noise or sudden movement.
In infancy, the Moro reflex is important. It’s how babies respond to stress, helping them alert their caregivers to potential danger. But if this reflex doesn’t switch off as the child grows, it can keep their nervous system stuck in a constant “fight or flight” mode.
That can look like:
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- Overreacting to noises or touch
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- Difficulty focusing in busy environments
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- Emotional outbursts
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- Anxiety or panic
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- Poor sleep
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- Trouble sitting still
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- Impulsivity or hyperactivity
Sound familiar? These are the same signs that often lead parents or teachers to suspect ADHD.
How a Retained Moro Reflex Can Affect Attention and Behaviour
When the Moro reflex is active beyond babyhood, the child’s nervous system keeps firing stress hormones more often than needed. Their body stays on alert, as if something is always about to happen.
This constant internal alarm can make it very hard for a child to:
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- Relax and concentrate
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- Filter out background noise
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- Transition calmly between activities
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- Stay seated without fidgeting
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- Feel confident and emotionally balanced
Many parents describe these children as “jumpy”, “easily distracted”, or “on edge all the time.”
In a classroom, this can look like ADHD — but in some cases, the root cause lies in the body, not the brain’s attention centres.
What the Research Says
While more research is still emerging, several studies have explored the link between retained reflexes and attention difficulties.
A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that children with ADHD had significantly higher rates of retained primitive reflexes compared to their peers. The researchers observed that the greater the reflex retention, the more severe the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity.
(Reference: Konicarova, J., Bob, P., & Raboch, J. (2019). Retained primitive reflexes in ADHD. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 153.)
The study concluded that reflex-integration activities may help improve emotional regulation and focus by calming the nervous system and strengthening brain connections.
Signs Your Child May Have a Retained Moro Reflex
If your child:
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- Is easily startled or anxious
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- Struggles to sit still or pay attention
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- Has trouble with change or transitions
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- Gets overwhelmed by noise or crowds
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- Often feels nervous or wired
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- Experiences motion sickness
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- Has poor coordination
…then the Moro reflex might still be active.
Of course, every child is different. A professional assessment can help determine whether retained reflexes may be playing a role in your child’s challenges.
How Reflex Integration Helps
Reflex-integration exercises are gentle, repetitive movements that help the body “finish” the reflex pattern that didn’t complete in infancy. Over time, these movements teach the nervous system to calm down and respond more appropriately to stimulation.
When the Moro reflex integrates, parents often notice:
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- Better focus and attention
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- Calmer emotional responses
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- Improved coordination
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- Fewer meltdowns
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- More restful sleep
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- Better posture and balance
It’s not about “fixing” your child, it’s about helping their brain and body work together in harmony.
Simple Exercises That May Help
These exercises are safe and can be practised at home a few minutes a day. Always move slowly, and stop if your child feels dizzy or uncomfortable.
1. Starfish Exercise (Moro Reflex Integration)
Have your child lie on their back.
Ask them to curl up tightly, arms and legs hugging their body.
Then stretch out wide like a starfish, arms and legs open.
Slowly return to the curled-up position.
Repeat 5 to 10 times while breathing calmly.
See how it’s done in this Starfish exercise demonstration on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6k0FKrbRhg
2. Snow Angels on the Floor
Lying on their back, your child moves their arms and legs out to the sides and back in again, just like making a snow angel.
This encourages body awareness and coordination.
Watch a snow angel reflex exercise here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDfGE9YRBIc
3. Ball Roll or Rocking
Have your child lie on their tummy, hugging a small exercise ball or cushion, and gently rock side to side.
This rhythmic motion helps calm the nervous system.
Here’s a short YouTube example of the rocking exercise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tKxPjvWZxU
4. Cross Crawl
This exercise strengthens communication between the left and right sides of the brain.
Stand tall.
Touch the right elbow to the left knee, then switch sides.
Continue slowly, keeping the rhythm.
Try the cross crawl demo video for guidance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewdZ2Jw-gbw
Consistency is key — just a few minutes a day can make a big difference over several weeks.
When to Seek Professional Support
If you suspect your child’s Moro reflex might be contributing to their attention or behaviour issues, it’s helpful to seek guidance from a professional familiar with reflex integration, child coaching, or neurodevelopmental approaches.
Support may include:
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- Reflex integration programs
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- Occupational therapy
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- Movement-based therapies
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- Coaching for focus and emotional regulation
Sometimes, combining these approaches with healthy routines — sleep, nutrition, screen balance, and outdoor play — creates the best results.
Helping Your Child Thrive
Every child’s brain and body are unique. Understanding the why behind their struggles can lift a huge weight off your shoulders. You’re not alone — and there are gentle, natural ways to help your child feel calmer, more focused, and more confident in their world.
If you’d like to explore how reflex-integration and mindset coaching could help your child, you can book a free session with Anna Ware here. Together, we’ll identify what’s really going on beneath the surface and build a plan that empowers your child to thrive at school and at home.