LIVE Treatment Planning and Fine Motor Development: Addressing Hand Reflex Patterns for Occupational Therapists

Enhancing Fine Motor Skills through Play-Based Interventions

LIVE, interactive webinar via Zoom
Saturday February 8th
9:00am PT / 17:00 GMT
Recording included!

Unlock a deeper understanding of fine motor development and how to functionally address reflex integration with this live, interactive webinar designed for occupational therapists. Reflex retention can significantly impact a child’s motor coordination, handwriting, and functional skills. This training provides the essential knowledge and practical tools to assess, address, and integrate retained hand reflexes, helping children develop stronger, more efficient motor patterns.

In this session, you’ll explore key topics such as the anatomy of the hand, the role of primitive reflexes in fine motor development, and assessment techniques for retained Palmar Grasp, Hands Pulling, and Babkin Reflexes. You’ll also gain hands-on strategies for implementing play-based interventions, collaborating with parents to improve carryover at home, and tracking progress through symptom checklists. Real-world case studies will demonstrate how targeted interventions can lead to meaningful improvements in fine motor control, handwriting, and daily functional tasks.

Join us for this engaging webinar on February 8th and walk away with practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance your therapy sessions. Whether you’re working with children who struggle with pencil grip, core stability, or oral-motor coordination, this training will equip you with the skills to make a lasting impact. Reserve your spot today!

Learning Outcomes

Describe the anatomy of the hand and its role in fine motor skills.
Recognize methods to identify and assess retained Palmar Grasp, Hands Pulling, and Babkin Reflexes.
Summarize how these reflexes influence fine motor skills, functional tasks, and developmental milestones.
Recognize play-based activities to enhance fine-motor functional skills using reflex integration exercises.

Course Content

Welcome! (5min)
Introduction to Reflex Integration (10min)
- Importance of reflex integration in fine motor development
- Impact of retained reflexes on functional skills
Anatomy of the Hand (10min)
- Bones, joints, and movements
- Functional significance for fine motor tasks
Primary Motor Reflex Patterns (20min)
- About the primary motor reflex patterns
- Signs of retention and developmental challenges
- Exercises to address retained reflex patterns
Fine Motor Skill Development (10min)
- Stages of grasp development
- Milestones in writing, self-feeding, and dressing
Assessment Techniques (20min)
- Screening for retained reflexes
- Observational strategies and behavioral checklists
Play-Based Interventions (20min)
- Developmentally appropriate activities
- Reflex integration exercises for different age groups
Collaborating with Parents (10min)
- Strategies for effective parent education
- Creating simple home programs
Case Studies (20min)
- Examples of reflex pattern observation and intervention
Monitoring Progress (10min)
- Tracking symptom changes and developmental improvements
Additional Resources (10min)
- Reflex integration tools and professional development opportunities
Q&A (20min)
Final Quiz (10min)
Exit Survey (5min)

References

AOTA Best Practices Recommendations (Choosing Wisely), #8: Don’t use reflex integration
programs for individuals with delayed primary motor reflexes without clear links to occupational
outcomes. https://www.aota.org/practice/practice-essentials/evidencebased-practiceknowledge-translation/aotas-top-10-choosing-wisely-recommendation

Retained Primitive Reflexes and Potential for Intervention in Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Melillo R, Leisman G, Machado C, Machado-Ferrer Y , Chinchilla-Acosta M, Kamgang S, Melillo T , Carmeli E. Front Neurol. 2022 Jul 7;13:922322. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.922322. PMID: 35873782; PMCID: PMC9301367. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9301367/

Persistent childhood primitive reflex reduction effects on cognitive, sensorimotor, and
academic performance in ADHD. Melillo, R., Leisman, G., Mualem, R., Ornai, A., & Carmeli, E. (2020). Frontiers in Public Health, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.431835

Evidence-based milestone ages as a framework for developmental surveillance. Cara F Dosman, MD FRCPC FAAP , Debbi Andrews, MD FRCPC, and Keith J Goulden, MD DPH FRCP . (2012) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3549694/

The Effect of the MNRI Method on Neurotransmitter Biomarkers of Individuals with
Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Bell, C. , Whitney, J. , Deiss, T . , T atarinova, Т . , Franckle, L. , Beaven, S. and Davis, J. (2019). Neuroscience and Medicine, 10, 292-321. doi: 10.4236/nm.2019.103022.

Primitive Reflex Activity in Relation to Motor Skills in Healthy Preschool Children. Anna
Pecuch, Ewa Gieysztor, Ewelina Wolańska, Marlena T elenga, and Małgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz. (2021) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8394673/

Reflexes, Learning and Behavior: A Window into the Child’s Mind. Sally Goddard. (2002)

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About Instructor

Kokeb McDonald, OTR/L

I'm a pediatric occupational therapist, author, and coach with a strong passion for helping people develop into their healthiest selves. As a mother of two wonderful children, I bring genuine care and compassion to my mission to transform occupational therapy. As the creator of the Reflex Integration Through Play method and book series, I created these resources not only because they offer fellow professionals a tool to expand their clinical reach, but also because they are empowering and reassuring tools for frustrated parents. Join me in learning to better serve the children around us.

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Course Includes

2 Lessons
1 Quiz
Course Certificate
0.3 AOTA CEUs
3.0 Contact Hours

AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.

Contact us with questions or accessibility requests at admin@polaristherapy.com.

Polaris Therapy, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 11684. This Distance Learning-Interactive activity is offered at 0.3 CEUs, Introductory Level, OT Service Delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA or indicate AOTA approval of a certification or other professional recognition.

Course content may refer to other products or services produced by Polaris Therapy, LLC. Note that the instructor and Polaris Therapy, LLC may benefit financially from purchases of these products.

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