NeuroFoundations

10/28/2026

It's Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
From the Facts, Myths, Facts & Truths page from the National Down Syndrome Society:
"Approximately one in every 775 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common chromosomal condition. About 5,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year.
Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels.

The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. But due to higher fertility rates in younger women, 51% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer’s disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so most people with Down syndrome lead healthy lives.

A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees or not at all.
Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades – from 25 in 1983 to approximately 60 today.

People with Down syndrome attend school, work, participate in decisions that affect them, have meaningful relationships, vote, and contribute to society in many wonderful ways.

All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses.

Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends, and the community enable people with Down syndrome to lead fulfilling and productive lives."

10/23/2026

Was just in Minnesota for a week for the Masgutova Family Education Conference. In the evenings I'd sometimes walk around one of the lakes.

One evening my friends and I came across this walking, musical group. We walked along being listening to the interesting music and finally caught up to them as they stopped to look at the lake. I asked the name of their group and they said "We've never played together before, we're just practicing for Halloween, we're going to walk the streets playing music while the kids are out".

What a creative group of guys! They consented to having their picture taken (then asked if we would take one on their phone). Somewhere in Minnesota there are parents who should be really proud.

10/20/2026

We Were Born Knowing How To Move? Or Were We?

**Did you know that some of the earliest movements we make happen before we have any conscious control over them?**

A newborn turns toward a touch on the cheek. Tiny fingers close around yours. A sudden sound causes arms to extend in surprise.

These aren't movements babies have been taught. They're reflexes, automatic responses that help protect us and support early development.

As babies grow, their nervous systems mature. These early responses become part of a much more complex system that allows us to balance, coordinate movement, interact with our environment, and develop new skills.

But what happens when those reflex responses don't mature as expected? And could they help us better understand some of the challenges children experience later?

My newest article takes a closer look at the fascinating relationship between early reflexes, the nervous system, and human development.

**Because the story of how we learn to move begins long before we take our first steps.**

Discover how primitive reflexes support child development, learning, movement, and regulation, and why reflex integration matters beyond infancy.

10/15/2026

Are We Looking Beyond The Skill?

**When a child struggles with a skill, how often do we look at the neurological foundations supporting it?**

As occupational therapists, educators, and other child development professionals, we frequently see challenges with coordination, postural control, attention, sensory regulation, and motor planning.

Early reflexes are part of the developmental process that helps establish the foundation for increasingly complex movement and voluntary control. Understanding their progression gives us another perspective when examining how a child organizes movement and responds to sensory information.

But reflex development involves more than simply checking whether a primitive reflex is present or absent.

In my latest article, I discuss the developmental purpose of early reflexes, their maturation, and the differences between hyperactive, hypoactive, dysfunctional, and regulated responses.

I also introduce the MNRI perspective and consider how reflex assessment can contribute to a broader understanding of functional challenges.

**The goal is not simply to change a reflex response. It is to better understand the whole child.**

Read the article: https://www.pepplerot.com/news/2026/1011/what-are-developmental-reflexes

Discover how primitive reflexes support child development, learning, movement, and regulation, and why reflex integration matters beyond infancy.

10/14/2026

Why does something as simple as handwriting feel so difficult for some children?

You may see a child struggling to sit upright, gripping their pencil too tightly, losing their place on the page, or becoming frustrated after just a few minutes of writing.

But what if the difficulty isn't just about handwriting?

Our nervous systems begin developing long before we pick up a pencil. Early reflexes help establish the foundations for posture, coordination, sensory processing, and eventually more complex skills like writing.

When those underlying systems aren't working together efficiently, everyday tasks can require much more effort than we realize.

In my newest article, I explain how early reflexes support development, what happens as they mature, and why they may still matter long after infancy.

Understanding what's happening beneath the surface can change how we support a struggling child.

Read the full article: https://www.pepplerot.com/news/2026/1011/what-are-developmental-reflexes

Discover how primitive reflexes support child development, learning, movement, and regulation, and why reflex integration matters beyond infancy.

10/12/2026

There are so many causes to be aware about this month, but understanding ADHD hits me both personally and professionally a little more than others.

Along the way ADDitude magazine and website have been a valuable resource. This month they are posting daily facts about ADHD, and many of the stats and medical links I have been unaware of. That's why "awareness" months are needed and work.

ADHD Awareness Month 2026 is themed 'ADHD at the center: ADHD is complicated and connected. Its diagnosis and treatment should reflect that.

10/05/2026

What is your child’s behavior telling you about their nervous system?

Difficulty sitting still. Big reactions to small problems. Avoiding handwriting. Constant movement. Trouble with transitions. Losing their place while reading. Falling apart after school.

We often focus first on changing the behavior we can see. But I like to ask a different question:

What does the nervous system need in order to make this easier?

This October, the Fall Nervous System & Developmental Check-In offers parents a brief, individualized look at some of the neurological foundations underneath regulation, movement, attention, and learning.

I’ll screen key reflex patterns along with postural, visual-vestibular, and bilateral motor skills, then talk with you about how those findings may connect with what you are seeing at home and school.

This is not a comprehensive OT evaluation. It is a starting point for understanding whether your child’s nervous system may be working harder than expected.

40–45 minutes | $99 | 6 October appointments available

Take a closer look at what may be happening underneath.
Book a screening today

Misti Peppler’s NeuroFoundations Therapy focuses on repatterning reflexes so you can learn and thrive.

10/03/2026

I finally remodeled the kitchen! Thanks marketplace for offering up childcare quality play kitchens at less than 1/2 the price- and new in the box to boot!

Do you like my decorating style? 🤪

10/03/2026

What happens to our early reflexes as we grow? Do they simply disappear—or do they become part of something much bigger?

From our earliest days, reflex patterns help the brain and body begin communicating with one another. As the nervous system develops, these foundational patterns become organized within increasingly complex movement, posture, coordination, and regulation. Integration isn't simply about making a reflex go away; it is about developing a nervous system that can use its foundational patterns efficiently while allowing more complex skills to emerge.

My newest blog takes a closer look at what reflex integration actually means, why a reflex can function in different ways, and how these early neurological foundations can influence everyday life.

If the term “reflex integration” has ever left you wondering what we are actually integrating, this article is for you.

What does reflex integration really mean? Learn how reflex patterns mature, support nervous system development, and influence regulation, coordination, and everyday skills.

10/02/2026

Is school taking more effort than it should?

Your child may be capable of sitting, writing, focusing, reading, and completing their work — but how hard is their nervous system working to make those things happen?

Several weeks into the school year, you may be noticing more fatigue, difficulty sitting still, handwriting frustration, poor attention, constant repositioning, movement seeking, or homework that takes far longer than expected.

These challenges can sometimes reflect weaknesses in the neurological foundation supporting posture, coordination, regulation, and learning.

My new Fall Nervous System & Developmental Check-In provides a focused 40–45 minute look at several foundational areas, including key reflex patterns, visual-vestibular and postural organization, and bilateral integration.

You’ll leave with a better understanding of what I observed, how it may relate to your child’s everyday challenges, and whether further evaluation may be helpful.

$99 | Limited to 6 appointments during October

Reserve your Fall Check-In.

Misti Peppler’s NeuroFoundations Therapy focuses on repatterning reflexes so you can learn and thrive.