Primative Reflexes...OTs want to know how assessed and treated from a developmental vision approach
The followiing question was sent to me from an occupational therapist who is studying the role of primative reflexes in the children we see with visual problems. She reports that, in some areas of her research, there is strong opposition to the idea of testing and trying to integrate reflexes.
Here are her questions for the vision therapy ODs:
Are there certain children who you see that need to have more focus on testing and integrating reflexes?
Do you test each child for reflexes?
Do you track the pre- and post- test reflexes to see what progress has been made?
Maria Dobbertien, OTR
Tags: primative reflexes
Views: 106
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Leonard J. Press on -
A good series of questions, Dr. Fortenbacher. We have some colleagues who have become very highly skilled in this area, such as Dr. Marusich, and the Dr. Bob and Linda Sanet team, and I would defer to their insights. What intrigues me most was Maria's report that, in some areas of her research, there is strong opposition to the idea of testing and trying to integrate reflexes. Can she elaborate on what the nature of the opposition is?
Thanks,
Leonard J. Press, O.D., FCOVD, FAAO
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Permalink Reply by Maria Dobbertien on -
How can these people be contacted? Via e-mail? I'm sure they are quite busy. The one little girl who I am the most interested in helping has no other medical related issues that can be identified although she is receiving vision therapy I'm axious to find ways of helping her break out of these "stereotypical" movement patterns. Is there an online source that has more information from these professionals?
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Permalink Reply by Maria Dobbertien on
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I would be happy to elaborate.
I have spoken with several OTs and PTs in my clinic and several other clinics. As we see a variety of diagnoses it is interesting that many therapists do not believe it is important to test for primitive reflexes and take a stand that primitive reflexes are NOT what is being observed even though the testing positions and stimulus responses seem to me to be clearly explained by what primitive reflexes are and how they are elicited. I have children on the Autism spectrum, those diagnosed with ADHD and those with other neurological involvement such as Cerebral Palsy who demonstrate reflexes that have not yet "integrated".
HOWEVER, my research now is from some developmental optometrists, several chiropracters, some kinesiologists as well as some homeopathic health care professionals who agree that lack of integrated reflexes causes a host of serious health related issues that are also closely linked to visual issues. Sonia Story is an interesting sourse and a man named Matthew Brady is the kinesiologist that also specializes in cranial sacral release which boasts of assisting in the integrating of primitive reflexes (as well as other issues).
As far as what I believe I'm observing is children who have these reflexes that are not integrated as evidence by their inability to ride a bike because if they turn their head they bump into the wall or children who see a swing in motion and their arms come up into a flexed posture with internal thumbs. These are just a few of the exaplainations and research topics I've encountered so any information/feedback regarding what can be done to help these children would be greatly appreciated!
-Maria Dobbertien, MOTR/L
© 2013 Created by Rebecca Sherry.
