Connected Paediatrics Weekly: Chicken Soup for the Cortex

Hi Reader

Dad Joke: Did you hear about the soup bowl that was almost empty? It had a leek in it!

Song of the Week: Silver from the DMA's

“So…I’ve been doing some research, and I think it’s my child’s retained primitive reflexes that are causing these issues…”

I hear this a stack in the clinic, from well-meaning parents, grandparents, teachers…you name it. Primitive Reflexes are hot stuff at the moment. Videos are plastered all over Tik-Tok and YouTube with everyone from the Specialists to the local Dry Cleaner explaining what they are, how they work and why your kid needs to “get rid of them NOW”.

And that’s not to say that there aren’t fantastic resources out there, there definitely are, but…I feel like we may be shooting the messenger, literally shouting at the crossing guard when they are just trying to keep us from running into oncoming traffic

…let me explain.

Primitive reflexes integrate when cortical control, myelination, sensory integration, and postural maturity allow the brainstem survival programs to be inhibited and replaced by voluntary motor skills. But sometimes that doesn’t happen the way it is planned…and when the survival program is still required, a few reflexes may have to stick around to make sure we are safe until the cortex can take over fully.

The truth is the rooting reflex isn’t “getting in the way”, it’s there to go “I’ll help you find what you need”. The palmar grasp holds on until your cortex can take control and the Moro is there until you can work out the difference between fear and surprise.

Come to think of it…the primitive reflexes aren’t there to cause trouble at all…rather they are the Chicken Soup brought to you by a helpful neighbour to help you get back on your feet. They are there to help…and the more you have, the more you express the reflex, the less you need and the better you start to function.

Primitive reflexes aren’t the bad guy…they are what holds the ship together when there’s water coming in through the floorboards.

Framing this correctly puts a whole new lens on the situation. It turns the anger that something bad is in there causing my child a problem into a gratitude that their brain is doing such an amazing job holding together whilst all the pieces are finding their place.

Chicken Soup…its good for you.

Chat soon

Mike

PS. The chicken soup recipe below is really great (and good for you!)

PPS. LAST CHANCE to book for the seminar in Newcastle! Hurry if you want to join us!

Click here for more info