Retained Primitive Reflexes and Potential for Intervention in Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

We provide evidence to support the contention that many aspects of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are related to interregional brain functional disconnectivity associated with maturational delays in the development of brain networks. We think a delay in brain maturation in some networks may result in an increase in cortical maturation and development in other networks, leading to a developmental asynchrony and an unevenness of functional skills and symptoms. The paper supports the close relationship between retained primitive reflexes and cognitive and motor function in general and in ASD in particular provided to indicate that the inhibition of RPRs can effect positive change in ASD.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorders; bottom-up processing; maturational delay; neuronal synchrony; retained primitive reflexes; top-down processing.

Figure 1

Development of postural reflexes. The diminishing of primitive reflexes and the growing importance of postural reactions indicate the development of requisite conditions for the development of the purposeful movement. The collective time course of primitive reflexes under normal circumstances is compared with the time course of the maintenance of static deep tendon reflexes and postural reactions. Reproduced with permission Pedroso FS. Reflexes. In: Haith MM, Benson JB, editors. Encyclopedia of Infant and Early Childhood Development. San Diego, CA: Academic Press (2008). p. 11–23.

Figure 2

Example of the circuitry of reflex responses to hand compression stimulation.