How Fear Paralysis & Moro Reflex Shape Your Child's Cognitive Functions | A Parent's Guide to Child Development

How Fear Paralysis & Moro Reflex Shape Your Child's Cognitive Functions | A Parent's Guide to Child Development

July 3, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

Emily Roper discusses the impact of fear paralysis and Moro reflexes on child development and cognitive functions.

In this episode, Emily Roper explains the roles and development of the fear paralysis reflexes and Moro reflexes as well as its implications. Roper discusses how pregnancy, birth, and early infancy influence the stress response, sensory processing, attention, and emotional regulation. Emily also covers signs of retained primitive reflexes, their links to anxiety and ADHD symptoms, and ways parents can support healthy neurological development.Time Stamps 02:02 What is the fear paralysis reflex?04:11 How do fear paralysis & Moro reflexes develop in our body 06:00 How do primitive reflexes help human neurodevelopment09:19 Can maternal health influence primitive reflex integration12:40 Early signs of the retained fear paralysis for the preemie14:44 How can so many symptoms be different expressions of one nervous system response? 19:00 How do Moro reflexes kick in during the moment of birth & why is it important for the brain & body functions24:59 How can retained reflexes trigger many psychological issues in early development27:48 How can early stress responses shape ADHD Behaviors29:10 Why is the retained Moro reflex a cause of many stress responses & how it shape…

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Host: Annamarie von Firley

Guest: Emily Roper

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