As a father of two, David understands and can relate to the challenges of parenting and parenthood. He understands that every parent wants to give their child the opportunity to grow, develop and fulfill their full potential. In order to do so, a fully functioning nervous system, proper nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle are vital ingredients.
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Common presentations and symptoms we see in practice:
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Learning difficulties - reading, writing, spelling,
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Poor school performance,
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Lack of concentration,
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Inability to follow a series of commands,
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Fears and phobias,
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Inadequate nutrition,
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Disruptive behaviour,
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Hypersensitivity to touch, sound, light,
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Speech and articulation problems,
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Involuntary tongue or mouth movements when writing or drawing,
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Poor handwriting and tight or inappropriate pencil grip,
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Inability to cross the vertical midline (for example, a right-handed child may find it difficult to write on the left side of the page),
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Difficulty judging space, distance, depth and speed,
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Consistently having general knocks and falls, sporting injuries,
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Increasingly poor posture from TV and the use of devices like iPads and smartphones.
All these can affect a child’s system from functioning at its best.
Children Development & Neonatal Reflexes
Neonatal or Primitive Reflexes
Babies are born with certain reflexes, known as primitive or neonatal reflexes and proper integration of these reflexes is a normal part of a child's growth and development. Most of the time these reflexes fade (integrate) as the baby’s brain develops and the child learns new skills, becoming fully integrated by the time the child reaches a year old and normally completed by age 3.
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When those reflexes are properly integrated, a child’s brain can learn new things. This is why learning delays are often associated with poor motor skills, and difficulty with sensory input. Occasionally these primitive reflexes persist beyond the age where they should be replaced by new skills.
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This may be a result of birth trauma – or even just stress from the birth process, premature birth, subluxations, ear infections, illness, or even adverse medication, drugs and antibiotics. It can also be associated with neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy, ADHD, autism spectrum, and sensory processing disorder. In some cases, primitive reflexes can reappear as a result of brain trauma, stroke, or brain lesions.
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Different reflexes cause different symptoms when not properly integrated. For example - the‘Fear Paralysis Reflex’ (typically integrated before birth), when retained, is associated with fear of anything new, giving rise to symptoms including high anxiety, tantrums, heightened sensitivity, breath holding, insecurity, obsession, and paralysis in times of stress.
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David has experience spanning over 20 years, working with parents and children in all stages of their development. He also currently provides assessments, recommendations, therapy and training to many clients and children under the NDIS.
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If you feel your child is struggling with certain areas of growth and development, have anxiety, low confidence or challenging behavioural traits, schedule an appointment with us today.
