Description

It wasn’t until Kokeb took her own children to a vision therapist that everything clicked. What she discovered changed how she viewed reflex integration—and how it could transform outcomes for other kids, too.

In this episode of the Reflex Integration Through Play™️ podcast, host Kokeb McDonald explores how unintegrated primitive reflexes can disrupt visual development in children—often leading to behavioral, learning, or postural challenges in the classroom. Sharing personal experience as both a pediatric OT and a parent, Kokeb discusses how early visual issues like poor eye teaming and tracking can be misdiagnosed as attention disorders, and why a holistic assessment approach is crucial. She outlines several reflexes—such as ATNR, STNR, TLR, and the Landau reflex—and their impact on visual coordination, posture, balance, and functional classroom skills.

Kokeb encourages therapists, educators, and parents to work collaboratively with vision therapists and emphasizes the importance of functional-based reflex screening. Whether you're a therapist seeking better evaluation tools, a parent wanting answers, or an educator noticing attention issues in the classroom, this episode highlights the critical (but often overlooked) link between vision and reflex integration.

Episode highlights:

• [02:30] Why vision therapists prioritize reflex work before visual skills training
• [03:30] Overview: What are primitive reflexes?
• [05:00] Developmental role of reflex patterns in early life
• [06:30] How vision is influenced by reflexes like ATNR, STNR, TLR, and Landau
• [08:00] Importance of tummy time for head control and early vision development
• [09:00] Why therapists need full, holistic training to address retained reflexes
• [10:00] Case study: Smart child struggling with group tasks due to vision issues
• [12:30] Visual screening revealed lack of eye teaming and midline crossing
• [14:00] Classroom signs: full-body movement instead of isolated head movement, poor eye contact
• [15:30] Functional red flags: messy handwriting, visual fatigue, letter reversals
• [17:00] Importance of integrating vision, vestibular, and balance assessments
• [18:00] Final reminder to collaborate with vision therapists and other professionals
• [19:00] Access the online course and learn play-based screening and activities

Episode Links:

• Eye Tests, Exams & Therapy for Kids and Adults with ADD/ADHD

**https://www.visiondevelopmentcenter.com/best-eye-exam-is-vision-exam/vision-therapy-for-add-adhd-eyes-attention-disorders/**

• Undiagnosed eye problems can affect children’s learning

**https://www.aoa.org/news/inside-optometry/aoa-news/aoa-president-champions-back-to-school-eye-exams-in-nationwide-media-blitz**

• Understanding Overlap Between Vision Problems and Attention Challenges

https://www.insightvisionoc.com/vision-therapy/understanding-the-overlap-between-vision-problems-and-attention-challenges/

👉 Learn more about the Visual Skills and Primitive Reflexes course here: https://ritp.info/visual

👉 Learn about the RITP Certification Program: https://ritp.info/certification

👩🏽‍🎓 FOR THERAPISTS 👨🏼‍🎓

For pediatric OTs and service providers, our 5-step Reflex Integration Through Play™️ program will give you the knowledge, tools, and experience to confidently help your clients reach their developmental goals with less stress, while having more fun. https://ritp.info/therapists

👩‍👧‍👦 FOR PARENTS 👨‍👧‍👧

Working to integrate reflexes at home? Get the 7 Steps to an At-Home Therapy Program for free in your inbox. https://ritp.info/7-steps

📱RITP Reference App📱Check out our Reflex Integration Through Play mobile app, with all our exercises, including videos! https://ritp.info/app

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