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Relationship of the Persistent Primitive Reflexes to Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Autistic and Typically

Marwa A Alsaman¹, Reem H M Elghity²

¹College of Special Education, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt. marwa.alsaman@must.edu.eg.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

|May 7, 2026

Abstract

Purpose:

Currently, there is growing evidence that persistent primitive reflexes (PPRs) may be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). PPRs can disturb motor development and negatively affect children's emotional regulation and social behavior. Therefore, they may be associated with clinical variables involved in ASD such as emotional-behavioral factors. Given this, the current study sought to explore the relationship between PPRs and emotional and behavioral problems involved in ASD.

Methods:

The present study investigated seven primitive reflexes in 30 autistic children and 30 typically developing (TD) children, analyzing the relationship between PPRs and emotional and behavioral problems related to ASD.

Results:

The findings of the study showed that compared to the TD group, children with ASD had higher levels of reflexes' retention. In addition, the results indicated that various PPRs were related to several emotional and behavioral problems in autistic children.

Conclusion:

The findings highlight the importance of the examination of PPRs as a screening tool for children. Comprehensive investigation of PPRs, particularly in children with ASD, may contribute to a more accurate assessment of problems and higher effectiveness of possible intervention programs.

Keywords:

Autistic children Emotional and behavioral problems Primitive reflexes Typically developing children

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