Hyperactivity and Primitive Reflexes: What the Research Tells Us

If your child seems to have endless energy, struggles to focus, or is always on the move, it can feel exhausting to manage—and confusing to understand. While hyperactivity is often labeled as a behavior problem or ADHD, growing research suggests another piece of the puzzle: retained primitive reflexes.

These early movement patterns are designed to help babies survive, move, and build brain connections. But when they hang around past infancy, they can interfere with focus, coordination, and the ability to sit still.

Below, we’ll explore what the science says—and what this means for your child.

What Are Primitive Reflexes

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements babies are born with—like the Moro reflex, which makes a newborn startle, or the ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex), which helps early hand-eye coordination. As children grow, higher brain centers take over, and these reflexes fade.

When that doesn’t happen, the brain has to work harder to do everyday tasks like sitting still, writing, or paying attention. The body stays in a low-level “fight or flight” state, leading to what looks like constant motion or impulsivity.

Key Studies Showing the Connection Between Reflexes and Hyperactivity

Recent studies have found strong links between retained reflexes and ADHD-like symptoms:

• Bob, Konicarova, & Raboch (2021) Children with ADHD had higher rates of ATNR and STNR reflex retention; these correlated with hyperactivity and balance problems.

• Konicarova & Bob (2013) Girls with ADHD showed significantly more retained reflexes than non-ADHD peers.

• Taylor et al. (2004) Boys with ADHD had more Moro, ATNR, and TLR reflexes—linked with poor attention and lower academic scores.

• 2023 Meta-Analysis Found a moderate positive correlation between ADHD and retained ATNR/STNR reflexes across multiple studies.

The science continues to evolve, but the evidence points toward a clear relationship: the more primitive reflexes remain active, the more likely a child is to show hyperactive or inattentive behavior.

What This Means for Your Child

If your child struggles to focus, fidgets constantly, or seems “wired,” it might not be about willpower or motivation. It could be a sign their nervous system hasn’t caught up developmentally.

Think of it like a computer running too many background programs—it’s not that it can’t focus, it’s that it’s using too much energy just to keep things running. When primitive reflexes are still active, the body is busy managing those old programs, leaving less energy for learning, listening, or sitting still.

Parents often describe their children like this:

“He just can’t stop moving.”
“She’s smart, but can’t get her thoughts out on paper.”
“He melts down when things get loud or busy.”

When we help integrate reflexes, many of these behaviors start to settle naturally—because the body finally feels calm and organized.

How You Can Support Integration at Home

Movement is the bridge between the body and the brain. Simple, intentional exercises can help the nervous system mature and re-organize—essentially teaching the body, “You don’t need that reflex anymore.”

Here are a few gentle ways to start supporting integration and calming hyperactivity:

1. Encourage crawling-style play.
   Crawling, bear walks, and cross-body movements activate both sides of the brain and help integrate ATNR and STNR.

2. Balance activities.
   Standing on one leg, walking on a line, or gentle rocking help the vestibular system (balance center) calm the body and reduce fidgeting.

3. Rhythmic, repetitive motion.
   Slow swinging, dancing, or patterned movement helps regulate the nervous system and build new brain pathways.

4. Deep pressure and grounding.
   Weighted blankets, firm hugs, or “sandwich” games (where you gently press between pillows) help children feel safe and centered.

5. Create a calm sensory environment.
   Reduce visual clutter and background noise. Simple, predictable routines help the brain feel secure enough to shift out of “fight or flight.”

When paired with reflex integration activities, these daily habits can make a big difference in attention, emotional regulation, and overall calm.

The Science Behind the Movement

Research supports the idea that movement-based reflex integration programs can help reduce hyperactivity and improve focus.

• A 2025 exercise study found that children who practiced rhythmic coordination and balance exercises showed both reduced reflex activity and improved attention scores.

• Classroom-based programs have shown that short daily reflex-integration movements improve reading, writing, and classroom behavior (Grigg et al., 2023).

• Case studies suggest even a few weeks of consistent, targeted movement can shift how the brain processes sensory input and stress.

Movement doesn’t just tire kids out—it rewires the brain.

A Balanced View

Not every child with hyperactivity has retained reflexes, and not every reflex integration program is the same. But for many kids, addressing these underlying brain-body patterns helps where traditional approaches (like behavior charts or more structure) fall short.

Integrating reflexes is not a quick fix—it’s a developmental reset. With consistency, it helps the brain function the way it was meant to: calm, connected, and ready to learn.

The Bottom Line

When hyperactivity feels out of control, it’s often a message from the body, not a misbehavior. Retained primitive reflexes can keep a child’s nervous system “stuck” in survival mode—making stillness, attention, and regulation nearly impossible.

Through specific movements, we can help the brain and body reconnect—turning that boundless energy into focused potential.

At Brain Connex Therapy, we specialize in helping kids rewire their brains through movement—improving attention, coordination, and calm.

👉 Learn more about our reflex integration program and how it can help your child thrive.