Reflex Integration Through Play

In this powerful episode, Kokeb McDonald is joined once again by Fran Rubio-Katz to tackle a universal challenge: how to handle ourselves when we feel emotionally triggered—whether as therapists, educators, or parents. Drawing from the Conscious Discipline brain state model and their real-life experiences in classrooms and clinics, Fran and Kokeb explore how to shift from reactive to responsive, how to teach emotional regulation through modeling, and why self-awareness is the foundation of mindful service. Fran shares practical steps like breathing, affirmations, and self-talk that re-center you during difficult moments, while also modeling emotional safety for the children in your care.

They also discuss:

• The importance of naming your brain state
• Signs your body gives you when you’re triggered
• Using your own dysregulation as a teachable moment
• Creating safe spaces—for kids and for yourself
• Navigating emotionally charged conversations with parents or coworkers with compassion

Whether you’re a therapist, parent, or teacher, you’ll leave this episode with calming tools and a renewed perspective on how to show up with intention and connection—even when things get tough.

You’ll also get a sneak peek at Fran’s powerful workshop, Mindfulness in Action: A Toolkit for Calm, Connection & Co-Regulation, now available through RITP.

Episode Highlights

• [01:50] Understanding brain states with the Conscious Discipline model
• [03:00] Fran’s personal trigger: whining—and go-to affirmations to shift your brain state.
• [05:00] Identifying physical symptoms of being triggered
• [09:20] How Fran models emotional regulation in the classroom
• [13:00] Using triggers as teachable moments for children
• [16:30] Applying these same strategies as a parent at home
• [18:15] Managing triggers when working with parents (not just kids!)
• [21:30] How to approach emotionally charged parent meetings
• [24:15] The power of intention before difficult conversations
• [28:30] “Dust yourself off and try again”: relational repair in action
• [30:00] Overview of the Mindfulness in Action training and how to access it

#MindfulnessInAction #EmotionalRegulation #ConsciousDiscipline #TherapistSupport #TeacherTools #ParentingTips #Triggered #CalmAndConnected #MindfulParenting #OccupationalTherapy #EarlyChildhood #TraumaInformedCare #RITPCertification #RegulateBeforeYouEducate #ServiceProviderSupport

🔗 Mindfulness in Action: A Toolkit for Calm, Connection, and Co-regulation

Available anytime through the RITP website: https://ritp.info/certification

This training supports parents, educators, and service providers in learning how to regulate their nervous systems and model emotional resilience.

🎓 Learn More With Our Reflex Integration Course

Dive deeper into reflex integration strategies with our comprehensive certification program. Perfect for therapists, educators, and professionals seeking to expand their skills.

Visit: https://ritp.info/certification

🌟COMMUNITY🌟Connect with us inside our FREE Facebook group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629371470539695

In this heartfelt and informative episode, Kokeb shares a special archived interview with homeschool mom Holly Anderson, whose daughter struggled with unintegrated primitive reflexes affecting her eye tracking and reading. Holly opens up about their family’s discovery process, the challenges they faced, and the creative, affordable ways they’ve implemented reflex integration at home. She also shares how RITP books provided the guidance and variety she needed to support her daughter’s neurological development. Whether you're a homeschooling parent, a therapist, or just someone curious about how reflex integration can fit into daily life, this conversation is packed with encouragement, practical tips, and honest reflections.

🕒 Episode Highlights:

• 01:00 – Meet Holly Anderson: homeschool mom and RITP book fan
• 03:00 – Discovering retained reflexes through reading difficulties
• 05:00 – Tracking challenges and getting a diagnosis
• 07:00 – Primitive reflexes and eye development connection
• 08:30 – Seeing early progress with RITP exercises
• 10:30 – Homemade therapy tools: cloth tunnels, swings, and more
• 12:00 – Building daily reflex routines into homeschool life
• 13:30 – Helping all her kids, not just the one with a diagnosis
• 15:00 – How RITP books make therapy simple and accessible
• 17:00 – Holly’s tracking system and “form first” approach
• 19:00 – The memory game and visual perception support
• 21:00 – Encouragement for parents: it’s doable and worth it
• 24:00 – Prioritizing long-term goals over short-term convenience
• 27:00 – Kokeb wraps with encouragement and program info

👩‍👧‍👦 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/family

👩🏽‍🎓 FOR THERAPISTS 👨🏼‍🎓 Learn More With RITP

Dive deeper into reflex integration strategies with our comprehensive certification program. Perfect for therapists, educators, and professionals seeking to expand their skills. 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. Get our FREE webinar https://ritp.info/live

In this follow-up to their impactful conversation, Kokeb and Fran Rubio-Katz (aka Coach Franny) dive deeper into the transformative idea of “Quit Taking It Personally” (QTIP), a tool rooted in Conscious Discipline. Fran shares personal stories and professional strategies to help therapists, teachers, and parents shift away from behavior-based expectations and lean into co-regulation, connection, and collaboration. They explore how taking things personally can impact your energy, your sessions, and your relationships—with children, students, and clients—and what to do instead. From embracing a mindset of curiosity to letting go of control, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone supporting children with complex needs.

Fran also introduces key concepts from the upcoming Mindfulness in Action: A Toolkit for Calm, Connection, and Co-Regulation training—designed to equip you with actionable tools and language to bring these ideas to life.

#RITPpodcast #ReflexIntegration #ConsciousDiscipline #QTIP #TherapistSupport #ParentingTools #CoRegulation #MindfulnessForKids #SpecialNeedsSupport #BehaviorIntervention #TraumaInformedCare #OccupationalTherapy #TherapyTools #EarlyChildhoodEd #NeurodivergentSupport #CollaborationOverCompliance #MindfulParenting #EducationalTherapy #FranAndKokeb #StructureAndNurture

Highlights:

[00:00] Defining QTIP and how it helps shift your mindset

[02:00] A story of using a physical Q-tip to stay grounded during tough sessions

[03:30] “It’s not about you” – why ego can block authentic service and connection

[05:00] Goal-setting without pressure—especially for kids on the autism spectrum

[07:30] Meeting clients where they are vs. needing to “succeed” in a session

[09:00] Coaching tip: Focus on expectations, not behaviors

[10:30] Prioritizing safety and co-creating solutions with kids

[13:00] Collaboration over compliance—why connection fosters flow

[17:00] Why teaching problem-solving matters more than getting kids to “follow rules”

[20:00] Rewiring your own mindset—why the homework matters

[22:00] From authoritarian to authoritative: balancing structure and nurture

[26:00] Workshop invitation – build skills, get tools, and start implementing now!

**** Register here ****

Reflex Integration Through Play - Mindfulness in Action: A Toolkit for Calm, Connection & Co-Regulation - Reflex Integration Through Play

A four-part series for parents, educators, and pediatric professionals—including OTs, PTs, and SLPs. Learn how to show up calm, steady, and ready to co-regulate—even when things get hard.

In this enlightening conversation, Kokeb is joined by Fran Rubio-Katz—also known as Coach Franny—for a deep dive into the emotional and physiological layers of supporting children through behavioral challenges. Fran, a seasoned educator and coach, shares her powerful "Is it the water or the fish?" metaphor that helps reframe how we interpret children’s behavior. Together, they explore the vital connection between co-regulation, nervous system awareness, and therapeutic success. You’ll hear how Fran and Kokeb’s partnership is bringing together top-down and bottom-up strategies for a holistic approach—and why breathwork, nervous system literacy, and mindful(ish) parenting or teaching can make all the difference. Plus, get a preview of Fran’s upcoming 4-week program designed to help parents, therapists, and educators build resilience and calm in their own lives and practices.

🎧 Whether you're a therapist, educator, or parent—this episode is packed with powerful takeaways and a practical, compassionate framework for supporting both children and the adults who care for them.

#ReflexIntegration #MindfulnessInAction #PrimitiveReflexes #CoRegulation #ChildBehavior #NervousSystemHealth #TraumaInformedCare #ParentSupport #EducatorTools #TherapistSupport #ConsciousParenting #RITPPodcast #FranRubioKatz #EmotionalRegulation #KokebMcDonald #HealingThroughPlay #BehaviorReframed

Highlights -

00:00 – Why Kokeb invited Fran to collaborate with the RITP community

02:00 – Meet Coach Franny: Educator, parent, and emotional-behavioral coach

04:30 – The need for both bottom-up (reflex) and top-down (coaching) approaches

07:00 – Fran’s discovery of MNRI and her emotional reaction to learning about reflexes

10:00 – The therapist’s dilemma: Great plans don’t always reach dysregulated children

13:00 – “Is it the water or the fish?” A metaphor for environmental vs. internal behavior

16:00 – Exploding, imploding, or breathing: how adults process stress

20:00 – Practical advice for therapists, educators, and parents

29:00 – Introducing “Mindfulness in Action”: a 4-week program to reset and reframe**

34:00 – What does being “mindful-ish” really mean—and why it works

37:00 – Coaching calls, real-time support, and how to join the July program

** Register here **

Reflex Integration Through Play - Mindfulness in Action: A Toolkit for Calm, Connection & Co-Regulation - Reflex Integration Through Play

A four-part series for parents, educators, and pediatric professionals—including OTs, PTs, and SLPs. Learn how to show up calm, steady, and ready to co-regulate—even when things get hard.

In this episode, Kokeb explains three closely linked reflexes that play a pivotal role in early development: the Palmar Grasp, Hands Pulling, and Babkin Reflexes. These hand-based reflexes aren’t just about grip strength—they are deeply connected to core development, coordination, feeding, speech, and even emotional regulation.

She discuess how stimulation of the palm can trigger reflexive responses in both the hands and the mouth—shedding light on why you might see children move their mouths when cutting with scissors or grasping objects. You'll learn how these reflexes form the foundation for fine motor skills and how their persistence can contribute to low tone, poor posture, challenges with handwriting, speech delays, and even feeding difficulties.

Kokeb clarifies how the Palmar Grasp reflex supports integration of the Moro reflex, how Hands Pulling fosters core strength and coordinated sit-ups, and how the Babkin Reflex influences oral motor development and hand-to-mouth exploration. You'll also get insights into how to test for these reflexes, recommended exercises to support integration, and why hand strength is essential for people of all ages—including adults over 60.

Whether you're a therapist, educator, or parent, this episode will equip you with practical ideas and a deeper understanding of how these reflexes support both motor and cognitive development. Be sure to check out the companion course and demo videos in the RITP app for more hands-on strategies.

In this episode, Kokeb explains three closely linked reflexes that play a pivotal role in early development: the Palmar Grasp, Hands Pulling, and Babkin Reflexes. These hand-based reflexes aren’t just about grip strength—they are deeply connected to core development, coordination, feeding, speech, and even emotional regulation.

She discuses how stimulation of the palm can trigger reflexive responses in both the hands and the mouth—shedding light on why you might see children move their mouths when cutting with scissors or grasping objects. You'll learn how these reflexes form the foundation for fine motor skills and how their persistence can contribute to low tone, poor posture, challenges with handwriting, speech delays, and even feeding difficulties.

Kokeb clarifies how the Palmar Grasp reflex supports integration of the Moro reflex, how Hands Pulling fosters core strength and coordinated sit-ups, and how the Babkin Reflex influences oral motor development and hand-to-mouth exploration. You'll also get insights into how to test for these reflexes, recommended exercises to support integration, and why hand strength is essential for people of all ages—including adults over 60.

Whether you're a therapist, educator, or parent, this episode will equip you with practical ideas and a deeper understanding of how these reflexes support both motor and cognitive development. Be sure to check out the companion course and demo videos in the RITP app for more hands-on strategies.

** Spotify listeners - please leave comments and questions below! **

🖥️ Use the complimentary course for information, strategies, and more! Use this link to register.

📱 Explore the RITP App: https://www.integratingreflexes.com/app/

#PalmarGrasp #BabkinReflex #HandsPullingReflex #ReflexIntegration #PrimitiveReflexes #FineMotorDevelopment #SpeechTherapySupport #PediatricOT #EarlyIntervention #MotorSkills #ReflexTherapy #RITP

In this episode of our reflex integration series, we explore the Spinal Galant Reflex, a vital early movement pattern that plays a surprising role in posture, attention, tactile sensitivity, and even bedwetting. Often overlooked, this reflex is triggered by gentle touch along the lower back and can have major implications when retained beyond infancy.

You’ll learn how the Spinal Galant Reflex contributes to fidgeting, poor concentration, and nighttime accidents—and how retained reflexes may show up as tactile defensiveness, posture imbalance, or scoliosis. We’ll also discuss how to screen for this reflex, tailor your treatment approach, and collaborate with specialists such as pelvic floor and feeding therapists for best outcomes.

Whether you’re working with young children or teenagers, this episode includes practical insights, helpful screening tips, and guidance on appropriate exercises for different ages and developmental levels.

#ReflexIntegration #SpinalGalantReflex #PrimitiveReflexes #Neurodevelopment #PediatricOT #SensoryProcessing #ChildDevelopment #FidgetingInClass #BedwettingSolutions #TactileDefensiveness #MotorDevelopment #FocusAndAttention #TherapyTools #OTTips #RITPodcast

In this episode of the reflex integration series, we focus on the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)—a foundational reflex that sets the stage for balance, spatial awareness, muscle tone, and posture. The TLR influences how a child experiences gravity and movement, and when retained, it can interfere with everything from coordination and attention to emotional regulation and core strength.

Sometimes described as the “Anti-Gravity Reflex,” the TLR helps infants learn the difference between flexion and extension—essential for rolling, standing, and even handwriting later on. But when it lingers past its developmental window, it can result in clumsiness, trouble sitting still, poor posture, or a fear of movement activities like swinging, rolling, or climbing.

We’ll explain how the TLR shows up in daily life, what to watch for (think: W-sitting, toe-walking, or head-hanging during tabletop work), and why this reflex is often tied to vestibular issues and gravitational insecurity. You’ll also hear about targeted play-based activities that help integrate the TLR, including rolling games, log rolls, inverted play, and movement sequences that build trust in the body’s balance system.

You’ll find clear guidance on how to support a child whose TLR may still be active—and why working with this reflex can unlock better focus, posture, and physical confidence. Watch the demo videos inside our app for step-by-step movement ideas, and join us next time as we continue the journey through Book 5.

#TLR #TonicLabyrinthineReflex #ReflexIntegration #ChildDevelopment #PrimitiveReflexes #PediatricTherapy #OccupationalTherapy #MotorSkills #BalanceAndCoordination #EarlyIntervention #SensoryPlay #RITP

In this episode of our reflex integration series, we turn our attention to the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)—a crucial building block for early development that plays a major role in posture, crawling, visual tracking, and classroom learning. Often called the “Learning Reflex,” the STNR helps children develop the coordination needed to move from lying on their tummy to crawling on all fours and eventually sitting upright. But when this reflex is retained beyond infancy, it can cause a variety of challenges, including poor posture at a desk, difficulty copying from the board, limited body awareness, and visual tracking issues.

We’ll break down how the STNR works, how it differs from the ATNR, and what it looks like when it’s still present in older children. You’ll learn how to spot red flags like slouching, sitting on heels, or collapsing at the elbows during crawling. We’ll also discuss the connection between the STNR and other reflexes like the TLR and palmar grasp, and explain how these reflexes work together to support motor planning and learning readiness. You’ll hear suggestions for simple and effective exercises—like Cat-Cow stretches, crawling games, and scooter board activities—as well as how to adapt those activities based on age and physical ability.

Whether you’re a pediatric therapist, educator, or parent looking for practical tools to support a child’s growth, this episode will help you better understand how reflexes impact learning and development. Be sure to check out the videos inside our app to see these exercises in action, and stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll explore Book 4 and the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR).

SHOP THE RITP APP: https://www.integratingreflexes.com/app/

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Why STNR matters

01:15 – STNR explained: the “Learning Reflex”

03:00 – Crawling, posture & integration

05:15 – Red flags in classroom posture

07:00 – Recommended exercises & motor planning

10:00 – Adapting for age groups

11:25 – STNR & visual tracking

12:00 – What’s next: Preview of Book 4 (TLR)

#ReflexIntegration #PrimitiveReflexes #ATNR #ReflexIntegrationThroughPlay #PediatricTherapy #PediatricOT #OccupationalTherapy #SensoryProcessing #TherapyThroughPlay #DevelopmentalMilestones #Neurodevelopment #ChildDevelopment #TherapistResources #SchoolBasedOT #TherapyGoals #ChildDevelopmentGoals #MovementMatters #BrainBodyConnection #InclusiveEducation #NeurodevelopmentalTherapy #SensoryIntegration #EarlyIntervention #ParentSupport #ADHDSupport #VisualProcessingDisorder

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) — one of the foundational primitive reflexes that plays a crucial role in early childhood development. Our discussion centers on how this reflex, if retained beyond infancy, can significantly influence a child’s motor coordination, sensory processing, and overall developmental progress, especially in children with ADHD, hyperactivity, or learning differences.

We begin by unpacking what messy or disorganized behavior can signal in young children, shedding light on the underlying neurological patterns that drive such behaviors. From there, we introduce the ATNR, explaining its origin in infancy, its expected integration timeline, and what happens when it persists beyond the typical developmental window.

Listeners will learn how an unintegrated ATNR can affect coordination, balance, posture, auditory and visual processing, and even academic skills like reading and writing. We explore the vestibular system’s connection to ATNR and how this interaction influences a child’s ability to sit still, focus, and process information. The episode also underscores the importance of vision screening as part of a comprehensive developmental assessment, particularly in therapy or educational settings.

We then transition into the developmental milestones that are often disrupted when the ATNR is retained — including rolling, crawling, and bilateral coordination — and how these foundational skills support later learning and behavior.

To support clinicians and caregivers, we provide a range of practical activities and exercises designed to help integrate this reflex, such as cross crawls and body patterning techniques. These interventions are adaptable based on a child’s age, ability, and developmental stage. We also share ways therapists can adjust their approach and offer support through extracurricular suggestions, home routines, and parent coaching.

Whether you’re a pediatric therapist, educator, or a parent trying to better understand your child’s behavior, this episode offers science-backed insights and accessible strategies to support healthy development.

SHOP THE RITP APP: https://www.integratingreflexes.com/app/

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Understanding messy behavior and what it may signal neurologically

00:20 – ATNR Overview: What it is, where it starts, and when it should integrate

02:59 – Vestibular System: Its role in movement and balance

03:58 – Vision Screening: Why it matters in therapy

05:37 – Milestones & Coordination: How ATNR impacts rolling, crawling, and more

08:57 – Activities & Exercises: Tools like cross crawls to support integration

11:34 – Conclusion: Key takeaways and next steps for therapists and caregivers

#ReflexIntegration #PrimitiveReflexes #ATNR #ReflexIntegrationThroughPlay #PediatricTherapy #PediatricOT #OccupationalTherapy #SensoryProcessing #TherapyThroughPlay #DevelopmentalMilestones #Neurodevelopment #ChildDevelopment #TherapistResources #SchoolBasedOT #TherapyGoals #ChildDevelopmentGoals #MovementMatters #BrainBodyConnection #InclusiveEducation #NeurodevelopmentalTherapy #SensoryIntegration #EarlyIntervention #ParentSupport #ADHDSupport #VisualProcessingDisorder

In this episode of the Reflex Integration Through Play podcast, we launch our in-depth review of the RITP book series by beginning with one of the most foundational early reflexes: the Moro Reflex.

The episode offers a comprehensive exploration of this primitive startle reflex, including its neurological and developmental significance, common signs of retention, and the cascading effects it can have on emotional regulation, sensory processing, and motor development when not integrated properly. The host breaks down how to assess for Moro retention and highlights the importance of recognizing subtle presentations in both clinical and non-clinical settings.

Listeners will gain insight into how to implement targeted Moro integration strategies across multiple environments—including classrooms, pediatric clinics, and at-home programs. Emphasis is placed on the importance of sequencing interventions appropriately based on developmental progressions and tailoring each treatment plan to the specific sensory-motor needs of the child.

Also discussed is the role of play-based therapy in reflex integration and how RITP protocols are designed to support reflex maturation in a neurologically appropriate, emotionally supportive, and functionally relevant way.

Whether you’re a pediatric occupational therapist, physical therapist, educator, or caregiver working with neurodivergent children, this episode provides both theoretical understanding and practical application for addressing retained Moro reflex patterns.

SHOP THE RITP APP: https://www.integratingreflexes.com/app/

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the Reflex Integration Through Play Podcast

01:30 – Overview and Neurological Significance of the Moro Reflex

05:24 – Identifying Signs of Retention and Developmental Red Flags

13:00 – Therapeutic Strategies and Environment-Specific Adaptations

22:19 – Integrating Moro Work into Broader Treatment Planning

#ReflexIntegrationThroughPlay #MoroReflex #PrimitiveReflexes #ReflexIntegration #PediatricTherapy #PediatricOT #OccupationalTherapy #SensoryProcessing #TherapyThroughPlay #DevelopmentalMilestones #Neurodevelopment #ChildDevelopment #TherapistResources #SchoolBasedOT #FunctionalGoals #SMARTGoals #TherapyGoals #ChildDevelopmentGoals #MovementMatters #BrainBodyConnection #InclusiveEducation #GoalSettingInTherapy #NeurodevelopmentalTherapy #SensoryIntegration #EarlyIntervention #ParentSupport