Spinal Galant Reflex Integration Play Based Exercises

Integrating the Spinal Galant Reflex Through Play-Based Exercises

This dynamic, hands-on resource is designed to help integrate the Spinal Galant Reflex—a foundational primitive reflex that can affect attention, posture, toileting, and sensitivity to touch or movement. When unintegrated, this reflex may contribute to wiggly behavior, poor sitting posture, bedwetting, or hypersensitivity to clothing and seating.

With 30 engaging and practical exercises, this guide equips therapists, educators, and caregivers with tools to gently support reflex integration through fun, sensory-rich movement. Each activity is designed to promote trunk control, reduce tactile defensiveness, and encourage seated focus—all through joyful, purposeful play.

What’s Inside:

• 30 play-based exercises targeting the Spinal Galant reflex
• Black-and-white visual step-by-step instructions for easy use
• Movement activities that support postural stability, hip mobility, and attention
• Built-in sensory calming strategies and body awareness tools
• Adaptation tips to meet a variety of sensory and motor needs
• “Why It Helps” explanations to deepen reflex knowledge
• Perfect for children with wiggles, sensory sensitivities, toileting struggles, or poor seated focus

Whether you’re working with preschoolers, early elementary students, or neurodivergent children with retained reflexes, this resource helps lay the groundwork for calm bodies and focused minds.

Because learning starts when the body feels centered, calm, and ready to connect.

Handouts include:

•Side to side belly crawls (page 4)

•Gentle brushing on back (page 5)

•Slow hip rocking (page 6)

•Wall press marching (page 7)

•Therapy ball back and forth (page 8)

•Seated trunk rotation (page 9)

•Weighted blanket hip wrap (page 10)

•Side plank reach and tap (page 11)

•Crab walk with hip level (page 12)

•Child’s pose (page 13)

•Crawl with belly down (page 14)

•Kneeling hip circles (page 15)

•Prone push & pause (page 16)

•Weighted backpack walk (page 17)

•Tunnel kick crawl (page 18)

•Seated figure 8 hip slide (page 19)

•Cross body rolling (page 20)

•Step over game (page 21)

•Slow scooter board pull (page 22)

•Weighted animal crawl (page 23)

•Step ups (page 24)

•Seated side reaches (page 25)

•Quadruped arm & leg lifts(page 26)

•March & freeze (page 27)

•Animal crawl maze (page 28)

•Knees to chest rock (page 29)

•Balloon Taps (page 30)

•Trace my spine game (page 31)

•Seated forward lean (page 32)

•Pillow Squeeze (page 33)

•Small icons so you can easily print for visual schedule (page 34-35)

If you love this product, please leave me feedback. If you find an error, or have a suggestion, please email me: EmpoweringOT@gmail.com I am happy to work with buyers to make them happy J

As a reminder, this is only 1 license for the person who purchased this product and the students on the caseload / classroom. Please support your fellow therapist and direct others to purchase this product from my store. This cannot be posted on websites or other areas where multiple people can access this resource.

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DISCLAIMER: By using this, you agree that this activity is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or occupational therapist. Information provided should not be used for diagnostic or training purposes. Please speak with your physician or OT if you have questions. Stop any activity if you are unsure about a child’s reaction or ability.

This is perfect for general education students but also students with Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, ADD, sensory processing disorder, and other special needs. This can be used with general education, RTI, MTSS, special education, school psychologist, school counselor, occupational therapy OT, speech language pathology SLP, and social work SW.

I am a school occupational therapist who has a doctorate in occupational therapy. I work closely with special education and general education staff adapting material. This is where I get my inspiration for this material. I have used my materials with a variety of children with different disabilities including learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism, sensory processing disorder, ADD, ADHD, visual impairments, deaf/hard of hearing, cerebral palsy, down syndrome and more.

DISCLAIMER: By using this, you agree that this activity is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or occupational therapist. Information provided should not be used for diagnostic or training purposes. Please speak with your physician or OT if you have questions. Stop any activity if you are unsure about a child’s reaction or ability. You should discontinue anything if you do not know your child’s reaction or ability.