Sensory Therapy with Earl

07/28/2026

Do You Notice This? 👀
Have you ever noticed how a newborn baby seems entirely at the mercy of gravity, curling up or stretching out based solely on how their head is positioned? This fascinating phenomenon isn't just random infant wiggling; it is driven by a critical neurological mechanism known as the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR). Triggered by the vestibular system in the inner ear, this reflex automatically forces a baby into a tight, curled position when the head tilts forward and a rigid, extended posture when the head drops backward. While it might look like a simple reaction, the TLR is actually an essential early-life training program that builds vital muscle tone, balance, and spatial awareness. Mastering and eventually integrating this reflex is the invisible stepping stone a child must cross to conquer gravity, sit upright, and ultimately take their first steps.
What to look for in the sequence above:
TLR-Flexion: When the head tilts forward, the trunk and limbs pull inward into a protective fetal position.
TLR-Extension: When the head tilts backward, the trunk and limbs rigidly stretch outward.
The Neurodevelopmental Sequence: Watch how this reflex slowly diminishes (integrates) over the first 6 months. As the reflex fades, the baby gains independent head control, allowing them to hit major milestones like sitting, rolling, and crawling.
Share your experiences observing this "gravity reflex" in the comments below! 👇

07/28/2026

07/27/2026

They say rice spike your glucose, so what would be a good alternative? 🤔

07/26/2026

Were you aware that each individual possesses a set of innate primitive reflexes? These reflexes are fundamentally ingrained within our genetic code, serving a critical role as a survival mechanism. However, beyond their immediate protective function, they also play a significant part in guiding the development of our motor skills, facilitating the transition from involuntary reactions to deliberate, controlled movements. Furthermore, these reflexes are instrumental in assisting us to master the ability to move and maintain balance in opposition to the force of gravity, aiding in the comprehension of spatial relationships and the development of our sense of equilibrium, among numerous other developmental processes.

07/25/2026

Part I Sensory Processing deficits: Tiptoeing

Follow for more

07/25/2026

PART 1: Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, or TLR

Before a child can sit tall, crawl, balance, or move confidently, their brain must first learn how to organize the body against gravity.

The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, also called the TLR, is an early movement pattern connected to the vestibular system and the child’s awareness of gravity.

When a baby is lying on their belly, the TLR influences the muscles used for bending and curling the body. When lying on their back, it influences the muscles used for straightening and extending.

This early reflex helps the developing nervous system begin organizing:

✨ Muscle tone
✨ Head and neck control
✨ Anti gravity movement
✨ Postural stability
✨ Body awareness
✨ Balance and coordination

As the brain and body mature, the TLR should become less dominant. This allows more advanced postural responses, including head righting, body righting, protective reactions, and equilibrium reactions, to develop.

These reactions help a child keep their head upright, adjust their body when their position changes, catch themselves when they lose balance, and move without feeling overwhelmed by gravity.

When the TLR continues to have a strong influence, a child may appear to struggle with posture, balance, head control, floor activities, coordinated movement, or maintaining an upright position without becoming tired.

This does not mean the TLR is the cause of every difficulty. It is one piece of the larger neurodevelopmental picture that occupational therapists may consider when assessing how a child’s sensory and motor systems work together.

Follow for Part 2, where we will explore what an active TLR may look like during everyday childhood activities.

07/23/2026

Does your child cover their ears, freeze, or startle easily? While others go from hyperactive to completely shut down.

Their nervous system may be getting two opposite messages at the same time:
“Move! Something is wrong!”
This can look like the Moro reflex, or the body’s startle response.
At the same time:
“Freeze. Hide. Don’t move.”
This can look like the Fear Paralysis Reflex, also called FPR.
It is like pressing the gas and the brake at the same time.
You may notice your child:
Covers their ears but cannot leave the situation
Runs, yells, or hits, then suddenly shuts down
Wants comfort but pulls away from touch
Wants to join an activity but freezes when it begins
Looks hyperactive when they are actually overwhelmed
This is why saying “calm down” may not work. Their body may be reacting before they can explain what is wrong.
Try lowering your voice, reducing the demand, giving extra transition warnings, and provide support like these coping strategies that I provided here
The goal is not to force calm behavior. The goal is to help the body feel safe first.
Save this for the next hard moment and follow for pediatric occupational therapy strategies for sensory processing, retained primitive reflexes, and nervous system regulation.

07/15/2026

A 2025 study published in Nature Medicine examined postmortem brain, liver, and kidney tissue. Researchers detected micro- and nanoplastics in all three organs, with the highest concentrations found in the brain.
The brain samples contained significantly more plastic material than the liver and kidneys, and samples collected in 2024 showed higher levels than those collected in 2016. Much of the material detected was polyethylene—the type of plastic commonly used in food packaging, bags, and bottles.
The study did not prove that plastics cause autism, ADHD, dementia, or other neurological conditions. But it raised an important question:
What could long-term exposure mean for the developing brain and nervous system?
As a pediatric occupational therapist, I believe child development cannot be separated from the environments children grow, play, eat, and learn in.
This is not about creating fear or expecting families to remove every plastic item from their homes. It is about becoming more aware, reducing unnecessary exposure where practical, and continuing to follow the research.
The science is still developing—but the conversation needs to begin now.
Would you watch a documentary exploring how our everyday environment may be affecting child development?