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The Compass Program

Finding Hope in the Brokenness

And Beauty in the Struggle

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The Compass program is a Reflex Integration program that strengthens weak connections and builds new neural pathways in the nervous system, the command center for the mind (executive functions) and body (large & fine motor moments). During this program, we focus on integrating the primitive and postural reflexes, the building blocks responsible for completing each stage of development within the early years of life. Reflexes are automatic movements that happen without conscious thought. When reflexes fail to integrate, the next stage of development is hindered, disorganization occurs, and learning becomes difficult.

Reflexes that do not integrate properly into our developing nervous system causes frequent problems for children and adults.

In the classroom setting, some signs look like taking a long time to write something down or copy from the board, has trouble focusing when someone is speaking, distracted by background noise, or unable to remember what was previously learned. Other signs are low energy, confrontation with adult authority, reacting badly to change, and having trouble regulating their emotions just to name a few.

 

Outside of the classroom, it could look like all of the above plus motor planning issues (clumsy), frequent mistakes in daily activities, attention and focus issues, trouble with planning and time management, disorganized, multi-step directions are difficult to follow, and much more.

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Unintegrated reflexes can look like behavioral issues but are actually caused by immature neurological wiring.

Reflexes, perception, and cognition are woven tightly together in our developing nervous system. Reflexes are involuntary responses to a stimulus (something happening) and the entire psychological process activating it (how a person responds to the stimulus). Perception is the recognition of incoming sensory information (vision, hearing, touch, smell, moment, balance) while cognition is the ability to process the information and consciously choose to respond appropriately.

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Primitive and postural reflexes play an important role in the organization of brain and motor (movement) development in the first years of life. These include visual and auditory processing, vestibular regulation (balance and eye movement), motor control, psychological development, learning, and behavior. Integration of a primitive reflex will suppress limited motor functions while implementing new movement patterns allowing new neural structures to develop. Each reflex has a myriad of responsibilities in the developmental process. If a primitive or postural reflex fails to integrate, poor organization occurs within the nerve fibers and interferes with the development of the higher (executive) functions of the brain. Primitive reflexes integrate into postural reflexes which enable the maturing child to interact appropriately within their environment.

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When these reflexes are not fully operational or integrated, cognitive overload frequently occurs. Cognitive overload is when the brain must work much harder to process incoming information (stimuli,) which places a high demand on the nervous system (stress). This will result in mental and physical fatigue, causing a loss of concentration and the ability to focus while responding appropriately to present information. This can increase frustrations, causing serious struggles in school, home life, and social interactions. These problems do not go away when a child grows up into adulthood and can continue causing frustrations in their work environment and the ability to achieve their life goals.

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Areas that are impacted by unintegrated reflexes are speech (verbalizing and communication), auditory and visual processing, cognition (thinking, remembering, judging & problem-solving), focus, concentration, movement (motor planning), vestibular activity (balance & eye movements), behavior, reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), math (dyscalculia), hand-eye coordination, timing, sequencing, spatial reasoning, working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. 
 

Movement is the instrument designed to complete the developmental stages for future learning. Reflex integration gets to the root of the problem by addressing the neural connections that are weak or currently missing.

The Compass Program

Stress Management - Release
Energy Regulation - Dial

Self Regulation Tools

Program Length

9-18 Months

Age

1 year – Adult 

Cooking Lesson

Assessed Reflexes 

Primitive Reflexes

Moro Reflex

Palmar Reflex

Plantar reflex

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ANTR)

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

Spinal Galant Reflect

Spinal Perez Reflex

Rooting/Suck Reflex

Tonic Labyrinth Reflex (TLR)

Babinski Reflex

 

 

Postural Reflexes

Labyrinthine Head-Righting Reflex

Vestibular Oculo- Head-Righting Reflex

Landau Reflex

Amphibian Reflex

Segmental Rolling Reflex

Contact us for more information.

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