Episode 70 - Primitive reflexes: The missing piece in child development with Paediatric Physiotherapist Jenn Evans

There’s a piece of the child development puzzle that almost no one is talking about, but it could be the key to understanding your child’s movement, attention, and even behaviour.

They're called primitive reflexes – automatic, early-life movements that should integrate as a child grows. 

But when they don’t? They can quietly affect everything from coordination to emotional regulation to how well your child focuses at school.

In this episode, I’m joined by Paediatric Physiotherapist Jenn Evans, who is passionate about helping parents and caregivers understand these often-missed reflexes and their big role in brain development.

We talk about what primitive reflexes are, why they’re so important, how modern life is impacting their integration, and what you can do if your child (or even you) still has them.

If your child struggles with attention, sensory challenges, or coordination – or if you’ve just got that gut feeling that something developmental might be off – have a listen. 

Jenn shares her journey into this work, how she assesses and supports children with retained reflexes, and the real transformations she’s seen. We also get into advice for parents and adults who suspect these reflexes might be affecting their lives.

Jenn and I chat about: 

• What primitive reflexes are and why they matter
• How modern lifestyles may be contributing to retained reflexes
• The impact of retained reflexes on conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory processing challenges
• Why our kids might be stuck in fight or flight 
• A simple fix for bed wetting 
• How to support our children with their learning and sports skills 
• How to identify if your child might still have retained reflexes
• Why it is important to integrate primitive reflexes 

Jenn Evans is a registered physiotherapist with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, specializing in paediatrics and neurodevelopmental conditions. She holds a Master’s in Physiotherapy (with distinction) from Leeds Beckett University in the UK and is the founder of TheraBounce, a trampoline-based therapy program for individuals with disabilities. 

With over five years of experience in a multidisciplinary paediatric clinic, Jenn has completed advanced training in areas like Dynamic Movement Intervention, developmental orthopaedics, and primitive reflex integration. Her energetic, hands-on approach is tailored to each child, and she offers paediatric physiotherapy at the Well Body Group in Bobcaygeon.

Episode Links:

• Connect with Jenn on Instagram

• Check out The Well Body Group and TheraBounce 
• Learn more about primitive reflexes from Harkla

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Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.