From Fear to Freedom: Understanding the Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR)

Is your child frequently anxious, overwhelmed, or struggling with new situations? These could be signs of an unintegrated Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR), a reflex that, when unresolved, can disrupt emotional well-being and development. Learn to recognize the impact of this reflex and discover simple strategies to help your child overcome their fears, unlocking greater confidence, calm, and resilience.

For many of us, an 'over-active' Fear Paralysis Reflex can be a source of anxiety, stress, overwhelm, depression, and even physical pain. When this reflex is healed, a lot of these emotions and experiences fall away. Here you will learn how to identify, test and treat an unintegrated FPR.

What are Reflexes?

Reflexes are automatic movements babies are born with that help them survive and develop, like sucking, grasping, or turning their heads. As a child grows, these reflexes should naturally integrate, meaning they complete their purpose and step aside, allowing the brain to take over control of movements, which supports healthy development. For example, a newborn’s strong grip reflex (where they grab your finger tightly) diminishes, and they learn to hold and release things at will. When a reflex remains unintegrated, it stays active in the background and can cause physical, academic, and social challenges, including difficulty with balance, coordination, focus, or behavior. However, the only reflex that does not fully integrate is the Fear Paralysis Reflex because we need a measure of fear to keep us safe.

What is the Fear Paralysis Reflex?

The FPR is an automatic response present in the womb that protects the developing baby. However, if it doesn’t integrate as a child grows, it can trigger heightened anxiety, emotional sensitivity, and withdrawal from social interactions.

Why FPR Matters

An unintegrated FPR can significantly affect your child’s development, including:

Heightened Anxiety and Fearfulness: Leads to irrational fears, constant worry, and difficulty adapting to changes.

Emotional Sensitivity: Causes emotional outbursts, meltdowns, and overreactions to sensory input like loud noises or bright lights.

Social Withdrawal: Makes children avoid social situations due to insecurity or fear of judgment, leading to isolation.

Learning Challenges: Disrupts focus and concentration, resulting in distractions, hyperactivity, and difficulties with planning and organizing.

What You’ll Learn

Our course provides practical, research-backed methods to integrate FPR and support your child’s emotional well-being, including:

• Recognizing FPR-related behaviors: Identify the common signs and behaviors that indicate your child’s Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR) is unintegrated.

• Testing for FPR: Learn practical techniques to determine whether your child’s FPR is unintegrated and impacting their development.

• Methods for integrating the reflex: Discover simple, effective strategies to integrate the Fear Paralysis Reflex and support your child’s emotional well-being and calm.

What’s Included

• 6 practical video lessons designed for real-world application

• Downloadable worksheets and visual supports

• OT-informed techniques you can use right away

• Lifetime access on your own schedule

Take action today to overcome these hidden barriers and help your child thrive!