Beauty of Breathing

71. Primitive Reflexes and Learning, Attention, and Behavior with Dr. Josh Madsen

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ Season 3 Episode 71

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Could an early reflex that never fully integrated be affecting a child’s learning, coordination, attention, or behavior?

In this episode of the Beauty of Breathing Podcast, Renata Nehme speaks with Dr. Joshua Madsen about primitive reflexes and the foundational role they play in neurological and motor development.

They explore:

✨ What primitive reflexes are and why babies need them
✨ How these reflexes support early brain development
✨ Why reflexes should integrate as the nervous system matures
✨ The Moro, ATNR, and STNR reflexes
✨ Signs that primitive reflexes may still be active
✨ Connections to balance, posture, eye tracking, and coordination
✨ Why gross motor development supports fine oral motor skills
✨ How retained reflexes may influence learning and self-regulation
✨ The relationship between neurological development and oral function
✨ Why children benefit from multidisciplinary evaluation and care

Dr. Madsen explains that primitive reflexes provide essential stimulation during infancy. As the brain develops, these automatic patterns should gradually be replaced by more controlled and coordinated movement. When they remain active, children may use compensations that affect multiple areas of function.

The conversation also demonstrates simple movement patterns clinicians may observe and highlights why foundational development should be considered when a child struggles with speech, feeding, handwriting, reading, attention, sensory processing, or myofunctional therapy exercises.

Dr. Josh first earned his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from the University of Northern Iowa before pursuing his Doctor of Chiropractic at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Dedicated to expanding his expertise, he studied Neurodevelopmental Delays at the Carrick Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation and completed Functional Neurology seminars accredited by the National University of Health Sciences.

Dr. Josh is also a Fellow of the International Board of Functional Neurologists, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to his practice.

🎧 Dive into the foundations of development and learn why primitive reflexes may be an important missing piece when progress feels difficult.

#BeautyOfBreathing #DrJoshuaMadsen #PrimitiveReflexes #Neurodevelopment #FunctionalNeurology #ChildDevelopment #Learning #Attention #Behavior #MoroReflex #ATNR #STNR #MyofunctionalTherapy #InterdisciplinaryCare

Support the show

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Renata Nehme RDH, BSDH, COM®, OMS™ has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2010. In 2016, when she was introduced to the world of "Myofunctional Therapy" she immediately knew that was her calling, especially when she learned that it encapsulated many of her passions- breastfeeding, the import of early childhood development, and airway health. 

In 2021 Renata founded Airway Circle with the intention of creating a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of like-minded health professionals who share the same passion for learning and giving in the dental health and airway space. 

Myo Moves - Become a Patient: www.myo-moves.com


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