Lunch and Learn: Understanding how retained primitive reflexes impact learning

February is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, and this Lunch and Learn takes us beyond traditional learning support approaches by exploring the foundational role of primitive reflexes in cognitive development and academic performance. Rather than focusing solely on academic interventions, we will examine how retained primitive reflexes can impact learning, sustained attention, and processing abilities from the neurological foundation up. This session moves past surface-level symptoms to address the underlying neuromotor patterns that may be creating barriers to a child’s academic success and emotional regulation. 

The goal of this session is designed to help educators, mental health professionals, and parents understand how early developmental movements continue to influence all of life’s stages.  

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand what primitive reflexes are and the connection between retained reflexes and common learning challenges
• Identify key indicators that suggest primitive reflex integration may be impacting a child’s academic performance
• Explore practical assessment techniques to recognize reflex retention in educational and home settings
• Learn evidence-based integration strategies that can be implemented to support improved attention and processing
• Walk away with actionable tools you can begin using immediately to support children with learning differences

About the Presenter 

Leading our Lunch and Learn is Alli Bongianni MS OTR/L.  Alli is an occupational therapist and the owner of Mindful mOTion Therapy + Consulting LLC, which is a home health OT company serving the East Valley.  

Alli specializes in neuro-divergent affirming pediatric occupational therapy and has extensive experience working with children who have learning differences and developmental challenges. Her work integrates primitive reflex integration techniques with sensory integration, emotional regulation, fine and gross motor, ocular motor and visual perception that support successful learning and attention. 

Alli is passionate about helping educators and families understand how early developmental patterns continue to influence learning, and she regularly supports neurodivergent populations in implementing comprehensive approaches that address both the neurological and educational aspects of learning challenges. She can’t wait to share this knowledge with you!