How Teachers Can Support Reflex Integration in the Classroom | Ep 37
Reflex integration is an often overlooked yet crucial aspect of child development, impacting a student’s ability to learn, focus, and engage in the classroom. As…
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Reflex Integration Home Program for Parents | How to Implement Effective Exercises to Boost Child Development | Ep 36
In this episode of the Reflex Integration Through Play podcast, pediatric occupational therapist Kokeb McDonald explores one of the most powerful, and often overlooked, tools…
What the RITP Certification Means for Your Clinic
The Reflex Integration Through Play Certification was created to help practitioners look beyond surface-level behaviors and understand what a child’s body is truly communicating. It…
A Parent’s Story: How Reflex Integration Through Play Transformed Robert’s Confidence and Independence | Ep 35
For many parents, watching their child struggle with confidence, motor skills, or emotional regulation can feel isolating. But Robert’s story is a powerful reminder that…
Reflex Integration Through Play (RITP) Partners with San Jose State University’s OT Department | Ep 34
On a recent episode of the RITP Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Courtney Boitano, a practicing OT since 2007 and…
A Mother’s Journey: How Reflex Integration Through Play Transformed My Daughter’s Life | Ep 33
Every child’s journey is unique—and for some families, the challenges can feel overwhelming. Today, we’re honored to share the story of Julianne, an 11-year-old whose…
How to Bridge Functional Skills and Reflex Integration Work | Ep 32
Many therapists can identify retained reflex patterns but struggle to address them within treatment sessions. Our work spans functional skills, daily living activities, play, and…
From Overwhelm to Organized: Streamlining Your Pediatric OT Treatment Planning | Ep 31
Pediatric occupational therapists (OTs) dedicate themselves to supporting children’s growth and development—but the process of planning effective treatment can often feel overwhelming. With scattered resources,…
The Overlooked Link Between Vision and Attention in Children | Ep 30
In the latest episode of the Reflex Integration Through Play (RITP) Podcast, Kokeb tackles a topic that’s often overshadowed in conversations about attention challenges: the…
How Retained Primitive Reflexes Impact Vision & Learning | Ep 29
In this episode of the Reflex Integration Through Play podcast, Kokeb talk about how retained primitive reflexes can quietly disrupt a child’s visual development, and…
Why Vision Is More Than 20:20: The Missing Piece in Learning & Behavior | Ep 28
When we hear the word “vision,” most of us immediately think of how clearly we can see—the standard 20/20 eyesight. But what if we told…
3 Essential Areas to Consider in Pediatric Screening | Ep 27
When it comes to screening children, checking for retained reflexes is a great place to start—but it’s not the whole picture. In this episode of…
When You’re Triggered – Mindfulness Strategies for Teachers, Therapists, and Parents | Ep 26
In this enlightening episode of the Reflex Integration Through Play (RITP) Podcast, host Kokeb McDonald is joined by Fran Rubio-Katz for a conversation that every…
No Therapist Nearby? How One Parent Used RITP for At-Home Reflex Integration | Ep 25
In this episode of the Reflex Integration Through Play podcast, Kokeb sits down with Holly Anderson, a full-time homeschool mom who shares her journey navigating…
Quit Taking It Personally | Ep 24
Q-TIP: The Mindset Shift Every Parent and Therapist NeedsEpisode Recap from the RITP Podcast In this episode of the Reflex Integration Through Play podcast, we’re…
Is It the Water or the Fish? Reframing Behavior Through a Nervous System Lens | Ep 23
What if your child’s meltdown isn’t misbehavior—but a nervous system crying out for support?Understanding Reflex Integration Through Play with Coach FrannyEpisode Recap from the RITP…
Reflex Integration and Goal Writing: A Functional Lens for Occupational Therapists
Supporting Real-Life Skills Through Movement and Clinical Reasoning As occupational therapists, our mission is to help clients meaningfully engage in daily life—whether that’s motor coordination,…
Book 6: The Palmar Grasp, Hands Pulling, and Babkin Reflexes | Ep 22
Is your child clumsy with their hands, struggles with fine motor tasks, or presses their fists into their mouth when overwhelmed—and you’re not sure why?…
What Makes the Reflex Integration Through Play (RITP) Certification Different—And Why Therapists Love It!
If you’re a pediatric therapist, you’ve likely heard about primitive reflex integration and its potential to help children with motor coordination, regulation, and learning challenges.…
Book 5: The Spinal Galant – Focus, Fidgeting & Bedwetting Connections| Ep 21
Is your child constantly fidgeting, sensitive to touch, or struggling with bedwetting—and you’re not sure why? The root cause might be neurological, NOT behavioral. Specifically,…
Book 4: The TLR – Core Strength, Upright Posture, and Balance | Ep 20
Is Poor Posture in Kids a Reflex Issue? Understanding the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) If you’ve ever noticed a child with slumped shoulders, poor balance,…
Book 3: The STNR – Bridging Posture, Crawling & Learning | Ep 19
Is a Hidden Reflex Affecting Your Child’s Ability to Learn, Focus, or Move Comfortably? In this episode of Reflex Integration: The Podcast (RITP), we explore…
Book 2: The ATNR – Unlocking Movement, Reading, and Coordination | Ep 18
Is your child’s messy behavior actually neurological? If you’ve ever wondered why your child seems constantly distracted, struggles with coordination, or can’t sit still, the…
Book 1: The Moro Reflex – Understanding Fight or Flight in Kids | Ep 17
Have you ever worked with a child who startles easily, struggles to self-regulate, or reacts intensely to seemingly minor stimuli? These behaviors may not be…
Understanding SMART Goals in Pediatric OT | Ep 16
Are your therapy goals as clear and effective as they could be? If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to structure your treatment plans or…
Establishing Functional Outcomes and Goals Setting | Ep 15
Have you ever wondered why setting functional goals is so crucial in pediatric therapy? Goals shouldn’t just be a checkbox — they should directly support…
Essential Steps for Successful Evaluations: Defining Clear Intake and Screening | Ep 14
Are you laying the right foundation for your pediatric occupational therapy treatment plans? If you’re unsure — or if you want to sharpen your skills…
Our Top Picks: What to Read & Listen to If You’re Curious About Reflex Integration
If you’ve found your way to our corner of the internet, chances are you’re deeply invested in helping children thrive—whether as a parent, therapist, educator,…
Real Kids, Real Progress: Reflex Integration Case Studies with OT Babita Patnaik | Ep 13
Have you ever wondered how a simple change in reflex integration can transform a child’s life? Welcome to a friendly chat about one of the…
Implementing Social-Emotional and Behavioral Strategies in the Classroom | Ep 12
What if we could transform classrooms not just with academics, but with emotional intelligence? We’re excited to share something special with you in this post—a…
The Impact of Reflex Integration on Child Development with Moira Dempsey | Ep 11
Have you ever wondered why movement is so important for a child’s development? In this episode of the Reflex Integration Through Play podcast, we sit…
Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Up a School-Based Sensory & Reflex Integration Program | Ep 10
Let’s be honest—sensory tools and movement breaks are great, but they’re not a magic fix. If you’re only treating surface-level symptoms, you’re missing the bigger…
A SIMPLE Approach to a School Based Reflex Integration Program | Ep 9
If you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist trying to help kids with reflex integration, you probably know how hard it can be to fit exercises…
Five Key Traits for Growing Your Therapy Skills | Ep 8
In this episode, I share my experiences from coaching and training therapists within the RITP certification program. I discuss why solely taking online courses isn’t…
From Helping Her Son to Helping Others: A Mother’s Journey into Reflex Integration | Ep 7
In today’s episode, I welcome Gaynor Ralls, a dedicated parent and Rhythmic Movement Training practitioner and instructor, to discuss her journey into primitive reflex integration…
The Connection Between Hand Strength, Precision, and Speech Articulation | Ep 6
This week we discuss the fascinating connection between hand movements and speech articulation. Emerging research shows that utilizing hand exercises can significantly enhance speech production.…
What are primitive reflexes? | Ep 5
Today, we’re introducing the world of primitive reflexes. These innate reflex patterns, present from in utero and sometimes after birth, are crucial for an infant’s…
Why This Book Is Taking So Long to Publish: Behind the Scenes | Ep 4
Today, I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming release of the sixth book in my series on Integrating Primitive Reflexes Through Play and Exercise, specifically focusing…
My Child Has Retained Reflexes – What Next? | Ep 3
Discovering that your child has retained primitive reflexes can initially bring a mix of relief and concern.In this episode, I provide essential insights into understanding…
Understanding Hand Anatomy and Reflex Patterns for Better Pediatric Therapy
The human hand is a marvel of biological engineering, capable of performing tasks that require incredible precision and strength. For pediatric occupational therapists, understanding the…
Simplifying Reflex Integration Exercises for Busy Parents | Ep 2
This week Kokeb discusses how pediatric therapists can empower busy parents to implement reflex integration exercises at home. Emphasizing the importance of these exercises for…
Hand Reflex Patterns: A Holistic Guide for Occupational Therapists
Hand reflexes, such as the Palmar Grasp, Babkin Reflex, and Hands Pulling Reflex, are essential components of early motor development. For pediatric therapists, adopting a…
Introduction to Our New Podcast | Ep 1
Hello there! Welcome to our Reflex Integration Through Play Podcast, with me, Kokeb McDonald, OTR/L, founder of RITP. In this episode, I introduce our podcast…
Benefits of the Babkin Reflex and Child Development
The Babkin reflex influences motor skills, sensory integration, emotional regulation, and communication. The reflex pattern is triggered when an infant’s palms are pressed, causing their…
Podcast: Reflex Integration Challenges and Solutions in School-based OT
I was recently featured on the OT School House Podcast, episode 164. In this interview, I delve into Reflex Integration for School-based Occupational Therapists, offering…
Benefits of the Hands Pulling Reflex in Child Development
The Hands Pulling Reflex is essential for building head and core strength. When infants are gently lifted to a sitting position by their hands, their…
Benefits of the Palmar Grasp Reflex in Child Development
The palmar grasp reflex is one of the first reflexes we see in infants, characterized by their automatic response to grasp an object placed in…
My Child Has Retained Reflexes: What Next?
When parents first learn that their child has retained primitive reflexes, it can be both a relief (finally, an answer!) and a new source of…
Keeping Your Child’s Tank Full: The Importance of Early Intervention
Imagine two children starting their school day with full tanks of gas, but one runs out fast while the other glides smoothly. This simple example…
Play Our Memory Game in the App!
🎉 Exciting News Everyone! 🎉 We now have a version of our RITP Memory Game 🧠 available in the app for kids to play!🤸♂️ Let…