2026 Virtual Summit: Testing and Integrating Primitive Reflexes: A Practical Framework for Therapists

Course overview

NOTE: The video for the summit was recorded by Little Light House, https://www.littlelighthouse.org/, at their 2026 seminar in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This 6-hour, view-on-demand, recorded webinar provides pediatric therapists, educators, and other pediatric professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to accurately screen, test, and integrate primitive reflexes. Participants will learn the neurological foundations of primitive reflexes, explore how reflex retention impacts sensory processing, motor development, emotional regulation, and learning, as well as learn best-practice methods for assessing reflexes in clinical and school settings. Through live demonstrations, guided practice, and structured lab sessions, attendees will screen and test key reflexes including Moro, Fear Paralysis, ATNR, STNR, TLR, Landau, Spinal Galant, Palmar, and others. Participants will learn how to identify observable patterns of reflex retention and interpret these patterns to guide intervention. The training also provides evidence-based reflex integration strategies, including rhythmic movements, functional play-based activities, proprioceptive strategies, ocular motor activities, motor movements, and home programming. Practical tools are provided to help therapists design efficient, individualized reflex integration routines suitable for clinic, school, and home environments. Participants will leave confident and prepared to test for retained primitive reflexes and apply reflex integration strategies to support improved regulation, motor coordination, attention, and functional participation in children. At the end of this course, you will be able to (1) state the function, developmental timeline, and clinical significance of the major primitive reflexes and their impact on motor, sensory, emotional, and academic performance; (2) identify retained primitive reflexes using quick, reliable, observation-based methods appropriate for pediatric and school-based settings; (3) demonstrate accurate step-by-step testing procedures for key primitive reflexes (e.g., Moro, ATNR, STNR, TLR, FPR) following best-practice safety and handling techniques; (4) interpret screening and testing results to guide clinical reasoning and create unique, play-based integration plans; (5) select appropriate reflex integration strategies, including rhythmic movements, functional play-based activities, and proprioceptive strategies, based on screening and testing results; (6) list individualized reflex integration routines that fit into daily activities, home programs, and school environments using little or no equipment; and (7) identify client progress by documenting changes in motor control, emotional regulation, attention, sensory regulation, and functional participation following primitive reflex intervention. This distance-learning, independent format is offered at 0.6 CEUs, Intermediate Level, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge, and targeted to intermediate- to advanced-level pediatric occupational therapy practitioners working with children in clinic, home, and school-based settings. The course instructor, Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, CPRCS, is a pediatric occupational therapy assistant, passionate about sensory integration, primitive reflexes, and early intervention. In October 2020, Rachel took over Sensational Brain, previously owned by Gwen Wild, MOT, OTR/L, in which she has rebranded and expanded into new courses, products, and more! For more information on our recorded courses, visit our website: https://www.sensationalbrain.com/product-cagtegory/ceu/on-demand-webinars. To stay abreast of our latest live and view-on-demand course offerings, sales, and FREEBIES, consider subscribing to our newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of our home page. Send questions to brian@sensationalbrain.com.