Articles Therapies & Supports Neurodevelopmental Therapies Reflex Integration Reflex Integration

Reflex Integration

Svetlana Masgutova PhD, renowned reflex integration specialist, describes a reflex as an “automatic response of the nervous system as a result of a trigger from a stimulus”, (i.e., touch, movement, etc.) Her life’s work is the Masgutova Method of Neuro-Sensory-Motor and Reflex Integration (MNRI).

In her research, Dr. Masgutova has seen over 3,000 children ranging from one month to 18 years of age and correlated the poor reflex integration patterns to the developmental delays she observed. Consequently, she developed her own sensorimotor and reflex integration program.

Primary Reflexes

All babies have primary reflexes which develop naturally as a means of protection and survival. The more commonly known primary reflexes are:

Moro
Rooting
Palmer
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

Spinal galant reflex
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)
Landau
Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

Each primary reflex has a specific and positive role in the first few years of life but should typically disappear as the child develops. They generally are replaced by postural reflexes which are more mature reflexes needed for balance, coordination and sensorimotor development. Sometimes primary reflexes are retained for a variety of reasons such as:

Trauma
Difficult pregnancy
Difficult birth
Illness

Injury
Emotional trauma
Chronic stress

All of these insults can lead to learning disabilities, vision problems and developmental delays in areas such as:

Coordination
Balance
Sensory perceptions
Fine motor skills
Sleep
Immunity

Energy levels
Impulse control
Concentration
Social learning
Emotional learning
Intellectual learning

These poorly integrated reflex patterns can be found in children with:

Hyperlexia
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Genetic issues
Brain injury

Dr. Masgutova views the integrated reflex system as a three-part circuit, and each reflex must integrate all three sensory- brain- motor responses. When reflexes don’t integrate well, there is a breakdown somewhere in this three part circuit:

Sensory organs fail to communicate with the brain
The brain fails to communicate with the muscles, tendons and ligaments
The brain-body system confuses the sensory information and the motor response

The Masgutova Method incorporates a variety of gentle body work techniques and simple easy movements to awaken these neuro-sensorimotor connections for proper primary reflex integration. The Masgutova techniques emphasize stimulating neuro-motor and sensorimotor points on the body by:

Releasing congestion and muscular tension throughout the body
Stimulating the proprioceptive system
Opening up communication among the muscles, tendons and ligaments
Adjusting receptors of deep touch and pressure
Stretching the trunk and limbs
Rotating the joints

Other Methods of Reflex Integration

Besides the Masgutova Method, there are other methods of reflex integration such as:

Rhythmic movement
Brain and Sensory Foundations
Brain Balance

Parents should know that most pediatric occupational therapists are not trained in reflex integration and do not use it in their practices. In our opinion, it is best to work on reflex integration before having more traditional sensory integration occupational therapy done for your child. However, it can be difficult to find a therapist who does reflex integration in your area, so you might need to attend a special clinic in another location for your child.

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Sources & References

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Resources

Articles

Gazca, M. Rebooting Development with a Rhythmic Motor Intervention for Children. Minneapolis: St. Catherine University, May 2012.

Move, Play, Thrive: Vision Doctor on Rhythmic Movements + Research about Visual Processing Issues.

Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute: What can make reflexes dysfunctional.

Books

Blomberg MD, Harald and Dempsey, Moira. Movements That Heal, Rhythmic Movement Training and Primitive Reflex Integration. Independenly published, 2011.

Brandes, Bonnie. The Symphony of Reflexes: Interventions for Human Development, Autism, ADHD, CP, and Other Neurological Disorders. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016.

Carr, Kathryn. The Depth of Her Touch: A Biography of Svetlana Masgutova, PhD, Creator of the MNRI® Reflex Integration Program. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute. September 1, 2023.

A Collective Work. Reflexes: Portal to Neurodevelopment and Learning. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute, LLC; First Edition. January 1, 2015.

Dennison, Paul E., et al. Brain Gym: Simple Activities for Whole Brain Learning. Edu Kinesthetics. June 1, 1992.

Goddard Blythe, Sally. The Well Balanced Child: Movement and Early Learning. Hawthorn Press, 2005.

Goddard, Sally. Reflexes, Learning and Behavior, A Window Into the Child’s Mind. Fern Ridge Press, 2005.

Masgutova, Denis, et al. Parents’ Guide to MNRI® Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute, LLC; First Edition. January 1, 2015.

Masgutova, Svetlana, et al. Autism: Maximize Potential with MNRI® Reflex Integration. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute; First Edition. January 1, 2023.

Masgutova, Svetlana, et al. MNRI® Reflex Integration for Your Daily Well-Being. Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute, LLC. January 1, 2020.

Masgutova, Svetlana, et al. Post Trauma Recovery: Gentle, Rapid, and Effective Treatment with Reflex Integration. 1st World Publishing. January 17, 2018.

Masgutova, Svetlana, et al. Trauma Recovery – You Are A Winner; A New Choice Through Natural Developmental Movements. 1st World Publishing. May 24, 2007.