BIO

Bob has been a neuro-developmental therapist since 1994, initially training under Steven Clarke at the Centre of Developmental Difficulties. After Steven’s passing in 1997, Bob established his own practice in Windsor, continuing to use Clarke’s rare dermal stimulation technique. He later trained at the INPP in Chester with Dr Peter Blythe, learning a movement-based approach to inhibit primitive reflexes, and in 1999, expanded his expertise with Dr Kjeld Johansen’s auditory stimulation programme to support speech and auditory processing. Bob works with clients aged 10 months to 72 years, addressing issues such as anxiety, ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and sensory processing. Around 25% of his clients are adults struggling with stress-related symptoms linked to retained reflexes.

He has also trained several therapists in the UK, US, and Greece, including team members Sarah Baker, Lucy Simmonds, and Sandy Denyer who work alongside him in Windsor.

TALK OVERVIEW

Understanding Retained Primitive Reflexes in Development. 

Bob Allen will explore the often-overlooked impact of retained primitive reflexes on neurodevelopment and mental health. These early-life reflexes, such as the Moro and Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR), are designed to support survival in infancy—but if not properly integrated, they can disrupt sensory processing, emotional regulation, and cognitive function into adulthood. Drawing on over three decades of clinical experience, Bob will explain how reflex retention can contribute to presentations such as ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, and sensory challenges—often mistaken for purely behavioural or psychological issues. He will also introduce a combined approach of tactile stimulation and movement-based therapy designed to support reflex inhibition, enhance neuroception, and promote long-term nervous system regulation. This talk will offer a fresh lens on neurodiversity, highlighting how supporting the nervous system at a foundational level can create meaningful change for both children and adults negotiating developmental challenges. 

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

Learn how to screen for developmental delay - Identifying the signs of primitive reflexes 

This engaging workshop is designed to equip professionals with the skills to screen for developmental delays through the lens of primitive reflexes. Participants will learn to identify key reflexes critical to early neurological development and explore the clinical impact of their retention. The session will highlight signs of retained reflexes in both children and adults, with a focus on neurodivergent presentations such as ADHD, autism, and dyspraxia. Through practical demonstrations, attendees will gain confidence in using observational techniques and simple tests to screen for these reflexes, enhancing early identification and intervention strategies in clinical or educational settings. 

Learning objectives

1. Identify key primitive reflexes and understand their role in early brain and nervous system development. 

2. Explain the clinical impact of these retained reflexes. 

3. Recognise common signs of retained reflexes in both children and adults, particularly in neurodivergent presentations such as ADHD, autism, and dyspraxia. 

4. Apply observational techniques to screen for possible retained reflexes. 

5. Learn some simple tests that confirm the presence of retained primitive reflexes.