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

Enhancing Fine Motor Skills through Play-Based Interventions

We just wrapped up our February 8th live recording! 🎉 But don’t worry—you can still access all the recordings and resources when you enroll. Plus, your enrollment includes lifetime access and future live workshops for this course. Secure your spot today and keep learning at your own pace!

Unlock a deeper understanding of fine motor development and how to functionally address reflex integration with this on-demand 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 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)

Average Review Score:

★★★★★

Enjoyed the connections!

By Judy Panning on February 15, 2025 at 12:46 pm

★★★★★

I’ve been doing reflex intervention for nearly a year, and this course has really helped me see relationships between reflexes. It’s good to understand how I can get work done on one reflex by working on a companion or opposite reflex. I would like to learn more about this, so I’ll probably sign up for training at some point. Thanks for all your work!!

FM Skills Development

By Veronica Jones on February 12, 2025 at 9:39 pm

★★★★★

Many information that is useful in all settings. It works in tandem with typical development and the resources provides are insightful and useful not only for therapist but for parents and caregivers.

Great supplemental resources

By ginprest01 on February 8, 2025 at 12:20 pm

★★★★★

Lots of resources included to use as reference material . Instructor is knowledgeable and is dedicated to creating practical and objective treatment plans

Amazing resource!!!

By Fabiola Conille on February 8, 2025 at 11:42 am

★★★★★

I got so many take aways from this course and glad I took it. Seems like it would boost engagement for both the kiddos and keep things fresh for me too!

Treatment planning

By Aminata Samuel on February 8, 2025 at 11:41 am

★★★★★

Excellent course. Well explained and informative.
My coach for 5 years. She is the best in this field . I learned and helped a lot of my students

So informative yet concise!

By Zielia Crespo on February 8, 2025 at 11:27 am

★★★★★

This course is just what I needed to fully understand the development of the hand as a whole!

INFOMATIVE INFORMATION

By MELINDA PIXLEY on February 8, 2025 at 11:08 am

★★★★★

Nice breakdown for separation of the hand with great activity ideas to implement in treatment as well as parent communication and involvement.

Treatment planning and fine motor development

By Mary LaPuma on February 8, 2025 at 11:04 am

★★★★★

So applicable to my work as an OT in a SI clinic! I loved it and will definitely be doing it again to really grasp it!

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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

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

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

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Polaris Therapy, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 11684. This Distance Learning-Interactive, Distance Learning-Independent activity is offered at 0.3 CEUs, Introductory Level, Foundational Knowledge, 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.

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