Primitive reflex integration for children under 10

Helping autistic, ADHD, and sensory-seeking children feel calmer, more coordinated, and better regulated through gentle, developmentally-informed movement.

If your child seems overwhelmed in their body, you’re not alone

Many parents come to Move2Connect because their child:

• Melts down after holding it together all day
• Struggles with balance, coordination, or posture
• Finds it hard to sit still or focus
• Is overwhelmed by noise, touch, or busy environments
• Is anxious, dysregulated, or exhausted by school

These challenges are especially common for neurodivergent children — and they are not a reflection of poor parenting or a child “not trying hard enough”.

This support may be helpful if your child:

• Is autistic, ADHD, dyspraxic, or sensory-seeking
• Is under the age of 10
• Appears clumsy, restless, or easily overwhelmed
• Struggles with regulation, focus, or coordination
• Finds school or busy environments exhausting

This approach may not be the right fit if:

• You are looking for a quick fix
• You want a compliance-based or highly directive approach
• Your child finds all movement deeply distressing

What are primitive reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are early movement patterns that help babies develop the foundations for:

• emotional regulation
• balance and coordination
• attention and focus
• sensory processing

Sometimes these reflexes don’t fully integrate in infancy. When this happens, children may continue to rely on immature movement patterns, which can place extra strain on the nervous system.

Retained primitive reflexes are commonly seen in neurodivergent children, and can contribute to clumsiness, restlessness, sensory overwhelm, and emotional dysregulation.

The good news is that primitive reflex integration can be supported later, using gentle, age-appropriate movement.

Primitive Reflex Integration works by giving the brain and nervous system a second chance to develop by introducing cues of safety and the signals received in-utero and in infancy.

How the Move2Connect programme works

At Move2Connect I work primarily with neurodivergent children under the age of 10 and their parents using a very gentle, movement and music-based neuroplasticity programme based on Polyvagal Theory, Rhythmic Movement Training and trauma-informed somatic embodiment, involving:

• Gentle reflex integration movements
• Sensory-aware, play-based activities
• A calm, child-led approach
• Practical strategies parents can use at home

This work is:

• Non-invasive
• Pressure-free
• Neurodiversity-affirming

It is not about fixing a child or changing who they are.
It is about supporting the nervous system so development feels safer and easier.

Early movement patterns — often called primitive reflexes — can remain active and affect regulation, coordination, attention, and behaviour. That’s why primitive reflex integration can be such a powerful support for neurodivergent children.

I work with the autonomic nervous system first to improve neuroception and provide cues of safety, followed by primitive reflex integration to aid sensory, motor and cognitive development.

Programmes are delivered remotely, in clinic, in nature or in the comfort of your home (within reachable distance of Horsham, UK).