Neuro Developmental Delay and The Reflex Integration Program
Is Your Child Experiencing Any Of These Problems?
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Poor handwriting skills
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Difficulties reading, writing and/or spelling
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Poor Speech
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Dyslexia
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Dyspraxia
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Attention Deficit Disorder
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Coordination and balance difficulties
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Poor muscle tone
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Concentration difficulties
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Poor memory
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Behavioral difficulties
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Underachievement in school
Don't delay addressing your child's learning, balance, and behavioral challenges. Our Reflex Integration Program is designed to help children overcome these difficulties and unlock their full potential.
Take the first step towards a brighter future for your child by booking them in for a consultation today.
How We Progress Development with The Reflex Integration Program:
The Reflex Integration Program - The Path To Progress
The Reflex Integration Program, has been developed to offer a completely drug-free and non-invasive treatment which can help children overcome specific learning difficulties and behavioural problems. Our program is tailored to address the specific needs of each child, focusing on identifying and integrating retained primitive reflexes to promote neuro-motor maturity
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Through a series of targeted exercises and activities, we aim to support your child in stimulating the development of neural pathways, facilitating the integration of primitive reflexes and promoting more refined motor skills and cognitive abilities. By addressing the root cause of neuro-motor immaturity, we empower children to overcome obstacles and unlock their full potential.
Identifying Neuro Motor Immaturity and Retained Reflexes
Neuro-motor immaturity, also known as NMI, occurs when primitive reflexes that are typically present in infancy persist into later childhood. These reflexes, often referred to as survival reflexes, are essential for an infant's survival and early development. However, as a child grows, these reflexes should gradually integrate into higher brain functions, paving the way for more refined motor skills and cognitive abilities.
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When primitive reflexes fail to integrate properly, they can interfere with a child's ability to perform tasks requiring fine motor skills, coordination, balance, and cognitive functions. This can manifest in a variety of learning difficulties and behavioral challenges, making it challenging for children to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.
Assessment for Neuro Developmental Delay
At BodyLink, we begin with a detailed understanding of your child’s developmental history, medical background, and current concerns. This is followed by a comprehensive neurological assessment to identify how your child’s brain and body are working together.
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We look at key developmental functions such as:
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Balance and coordination
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Motor skill patterns
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Primitive and postural reflexes
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Eye movements and tracking (oculo-motor function)
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Visual processing and laterality (left–right integration)
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These insights help us understand the root cause of your child’s challenges—whether they relate to focus, behaviour, learning, or sensory regulation.
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Following the assessment, we design a personalised programme tailored to your child’s unique needs and goals, using safe, gentle techniques to support their neurological development.
Treatment for Neuro Developmental Delay
To support optimal brain development, we focus on building strong foundations in areas such as primitive reflex integration, balance, coordination, eye movements, and nutrition.
Following your child’s assessment, we create a tailored therapy plan using a range of gentle, evidence-informed modalities to support neuro-motor development and brain-body communication.
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These may include:
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Targeted movement-based exercises
These are based on the natural movement patterns seen in infancy and early childhood. They help stimulate underdeveloped neural pathways, integrate retained primitive reflexes, and develop postural control—supporting improvements in balance, posture, coordination, visual processing, and body awareness -
Photobiomodulation (Red and Infrared Light Therapy)
This safe, non-invasive laser therapy helps reduce inflammation, improve cellular energy (ATP), and support healing in the nervous system. (Link to Research) -
Neurosage Therapy
A computer-based tool that uses light, sound, and movement to stimulate specific brain regions responsible for attention, balance, and regulation. It helps improve postural stability and supports recovery from retained reflexes, sensory issues, or concussion. (Learn more about how Neurosage works) -
Oxygen Therapy
If indicated, this may be used to support energy production and brain function, particularly in children with signs of low cellular oxygenation or fatigue. -
Nutritional and supplement support
Functional testing and recommendations may be included if nutrition or gut health is playing a role in your child’s development or regulation. -
Neurological Integration System (NIS)
NIS uses muscle testing to identify disruptions in the nervous system and gently restore communication between the brain and body. (Learn more about how NIS works) -
At-home exercises
Parents are guided through simple, targeted activities to continue your child’s progress between sessions and reinforce gains made in the clinic.
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The length and structure of your child’s programme is based on their specific needs and how their nervous system responds. Most plans run over a 10-week period, with frequency tailored individually—some children benefit from twice-weekly sessions to achieve the best outcomes.
The Primitive Reflexes and How They Impact Your Child's Learning
The Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)
This reflex is crucial for your child's development and serves as the foundation to crawling on their hands and knees, as well as other vital motor skills.
If retained beyond infancy, the STNR can negatively impact posture, making traditional learning positions like sitting at a desk uncomfortable. It can also hinder muscle tone development and slow hand-eye coordination.
This could look like inattention and hyperactivity, often mistaken for ADHD. The STNR typically appears in normal development between 8-11 months of age.
The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)
The TLR helps with the development of posture, balance, and spatial awareness. There are 2 primary movement patterns that it involves:
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Forward (Flexion) - when the baby moves its head forward, the arms and legs curl in or bend.
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Backward (Extension) - when the baby's head tilts backward, the arms and legs straighten and extend.
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Retained TLR can lead to postural difficulties as well as affect their muscle tone, making muscles either too loose or too tight. It should be integrated by 3 years of age.
The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
Emerges when a baby turns its head to one side and typically integrates by 6 months of age.
Retained ATNR can result in challenges with hand-eye coordination, crossing the midline (a right handed child finding it hard to write on the left side of the page) bilateral integration, and mixed-handedness, impacting tasks like writing, drawing, and reading.
The Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)
The Moro Reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is the reaction to sudden noises or movement. It is present in infants and should integrate by 4 months of age.
Retained Moro reflex can lead to hypersensitivity, distractibility, sensory overload, anxiety, and emotional immaturity, affecting a child's ability to focus, regulate emotions, and engage socially.
Hear From Our Clients:
"As a family we have been seeing Michelle for over 7 years. We have always found her to be friendly, warm and able to treat the various health and learning issues that have arisen over the years for us and our kids.
We love that there is an alternative to main stream medical care and have seen great results.
Michelle has a wealth of knowledge about the body, supplements and this form of treatment.
We regularly recommend Michelle and NIS to our family and friends."
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- The Johnston Family
See Long Term Benefits In Your Child's Growth and Development
Our Retrained Reflex Program allows you to witness the transformation as your child gains more confidence, improves their academic performance, and progresses socially and emotionally.
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Take the proactive steps today to support your child in their development. Schedule an appointment with Michelle below to nurture their on-going growth effectively, in a safe and natural way.
Contact Us
Get In Touch To Book Your Consultation
Tel: 09 421 1411
Email: michelle@bodylink.co.nz
56A Forge Road, Silverdale, Auckland
