(Q6) A look at some of the Reflexes and how
their retention can impact your children

It is important to note that while a specific reflex carries out a particular function, the chain reaction of one reflex not inhibiting at the right time can have a very broad and deep impact on the subsequent developmental process. There are hundreds of reflexes identified but the majority of children assessed have one or a cluster of the following.

The Moro Reflex

This reflex is stimulated when sudden and rapid changes are experienced in the visual, auditory or positional sense. Responding like a rudimentary version of an older child's flight/flight response, the Moro reflex should be inhibited when the infant is approximately 4 months old.

Signs of a retained Moro reflex in the older child include:

poor concentration as focus is turned to all new incoming stimulus craves movement stimulation
difficulties with catching a ball
hyper-reactive to criticism
free-anxiety
emotional and social immaturity
craves sugar and carbohydrate rich foods

The Palmar Reflex

This grasp reflex is stimulated when a tactile sensation is experienced on the palm of the hands. Responding as a rudimentary version of an older child's pincer grip, the Palmar reflex should be inhibited when the infant is approximately 2 - 3 months old.

Signs of a retained Palmar Reflex in the older child include:

poor handwriting
difficulties with fine motor skills and manual dexterity
throwing and catching
poor posture while writing, at the computer and tasks involving the fine motor control of the fingers.

The Plantar Reflex

This grasp reflex is stimulated when a slight pressure sensation around the ball of the foot. Responding as a rudimentary receptor for the adult plantar reflex, processing sensory information for the vestibular and balance mechanisms, the Plantar reflex should be inhibited when the infant is approximately 2 - 3 months old.

Signs of a retained Plantar reflex in the older child may include:

difficulties with balance especially in activities requiring a high degree of co-ordination
poor gait or an awkward walk and running style
regular twisting of the ankles
poor co-ordination
difficulties in performing cross lateral activities.

Asymmetrical Tonic Reflex

The Asymmetrical Tonic Reflex (ATNR) is stimulated as the head turns to one side. Responding in part to aid in the birthing process, the ATNR plays an important role in developing cross lateral, visual processing and co-ordination in the older child. The ATNR should be inhibited when the infant is approximately 6 months old.

Signs of a retained ATNR in the older child may include:

struggle to .know' which hand is dominant giving rise to poor hand writing and manipulation of small equipment
using a forward hand in racket sports instead of a backswing
difficulties with hand-eye coordination tasks
struggle to write across a page - their writing book will often be turned anywhere from a slight angle to a full 90 degrees when writing.
poor visual tracking giving rise to early fatigue in reading, writing, bat and ball games.

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex

The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is stimulated as the head moves forward or backwards, above or below the level of the spine. Responding to changes in body position the TLR helps to develop balance, visual and spatial awareness in the older child.

The TLR should be fully inhibited when the infant is approximately 3 and a half years of age.

Signs of a retained TLR in the older child may include:

poor balance
clumsiness - poor spatial awareness and the ability to orientate
toe walking
requires a greater effort when doing rolling activities in gymnastics
sloppy posture when sitting still
collapsed head on the arms when writing

Symmetrical Tonic Reflex

The Symmetrical Tonic Reflex (STNR) is stimulated as the neck muscles alter during movements of the head forwards and backwards. Responding to changes in the body position across the horizontal plane, the STNR helps to develop co-ordination, muscle tone and postural stability in the older child. The STNR should be inhibited when the infant is approximately 11 months old.

Signs of a retained STNR in the older child may include:

difficulties with co-ordinating upper and lower body; sports such as swimming and dance are often very challenging
slow at copying information from the board
poor seating posture - at a desk they will often have their feet wrapped around their chair when looking up and extended straight out with personal reading or writing
struggle with forward rolls - as they tuck the chin down, their arms collapse
difficulties catching a ball with one hand
while writing or drawing the other hand will be in constant motion

Spinal Galant Reflexes

The Spinal Galant Reflex is stimulated when a tactile sensation is applied along the left and right sides of the spine. Responding as a primitive low frequency sound conductor in utero and as an aid to the birthing process, the Spinal Galant Reflex helps to develop postural stability, auditory processing and co-ordination in the older child. Spinal Galant Reflex should be inhibited when the infant is approximately 9 months old.