The first year of life is the most rapid period of development in a child. It is also the most exciting for parents to watch as their baby makes these weekly changes in motor and cognitive development, from their first smile to their first steps.
The neural pathways are multiplying so rapidly that the brain grows by 1% every day, which allows it to double in size by their first birthday.
The driving force for this rapid brain growth relies on physical experiences and infant primary reflex development.
Primary infant reflexes are survival programmed, automatic motor responses that are active in the first year of life, however if not properly developed and integrated will create gaps and delays in development.
"As a pediatric occupational therapist, children are referred to me by pediatricians when they are already showing delays. From these delays, very poor behavioral habits form which can require months, sometimes years, of weekly therapy appointments in order to meet their developmental expectations."
Through her 17 years of pediatric experience and raising her own children, Jennifer has learned that early intervention starts at birth!
By addressing the primary reflexes during this critical period of brain development, the child will develop motor skills more naturally and will set the pathway for optimal brain wiring and overall learning.
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Over the next few weeks, Jennifer will be highlighting, explaining, and showing you ways to help develop and stimulate each of the primary reflexes. She will also be covering its function for development, as well as the negative effects that occur when reflexes are improperly developed.
Primary Reflex Role Functions:
Babkin-Palmonental: feeding and speech
Hands Grasp: fine motor and handwriting
Spinal Gallant: posture, attention, bladder/bowel controls
Spinal Pereze: motor skills, emotional regulation, and sensory processing
ATNR: two-sided coordination and auditory processing
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Jennifer Perigord is a pediatric occupational therapist that specializes in infant development. She has 17 years of pediatric experience and has specialized training with premature and medically fragile infants in neonatal intensive care. Her passion is in primary reflex development in the first year of life. She has learned through both her professional and personal experience raising her own children that early intervention starts at birth!
Jennifer is available for consultations and private assessments.
Email her at jwperigord26@gmail.com for more information or to ask a specific question.
Follow her page on Facebook for more tips and information!
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