Types of Primitive Reflexes

Primitive Reflexes develop in the womb and should be integrated by the time a baby is one year old. They are gradually replaced by the Postural reflexes which cope with the demands of a gravity-based environment. If the Primitive Reflexes remain, then the Postural Reflexes are prevented from full development.

Moro Reflex

This reflex is stimulated once the baby is born, when it takes its first breath independently of

its mother. It is an instant fight/flight reaction to stimulus. If it is still in existence it can affect

many different areas: Sensory processing, anxiety/fear of change, poor impulse

control, auditory confusion, difficulty making decisions, low self-esteem,

hypersensitivity in all the senses and many more.

TLR

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) - this reflex helps to develop the flexor and extension

muscle tone and is fundamental in developing head control. If retained it can lead to

Vestibular difficulties (balance/coordination), and affect spatial skills, motion sickness

and visual perception.

Landau Reflex

This reflex helps provide the baby with muscle tone required to push up on both and then

one arm and to eventually sit unaided. If it is still in existence it can block later postural

reflexes.

Spinal Galant Reflex

It is believed that this reflex may act as a primitive conductor of sound in Utero, it appears to

be connected to urinary and intestinal functioning. If it is still in existence it can affect

concentration, auditory processing, bedwetting and leads to fidgetiness.

STNR

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) - it is about differentiating the top half of the body

from the bottom half of the body. It helps the infant to defy gravity and aligns the occipital

and sacral regions. If retained, it affects upper and lower body integration (makes

swimming difficult). It also affects posture, vertical eye tracking, muscle tone,

strength, and concentration/attention.

ATNR

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) - this reflex helps the baby move whilst in utero,

and assists in the birth process. It differentiates the right side of the body from the left side

of the body and facilitates early hand-eye coordination. If retained, it affects the ability of the

eyes to track horizontally, affects balance, and is sometimes a factor in the mis-match

between a child’s verbal ability and what they are able to write down.

Grasping reflexes - Rooting Reflex, Suck, Plantar and Palmar. Signs of a rooting or suck

reflex would be poor saliva control, over sensitivity around the mouth, messy eating, dislike

of certain textures, poor control of mouth for speech, thumb, hair or clothes sucking.

Palmar Reflex

The Palmar reflex is a grasping reflex of the hands which is present immediately after birth. If

you place an object crosswise into the palm of a newborn baby’s hand it will curl its fingers

around the object, usually with the thumb nestling underneath the index finger. I

When a Palmar is found to still be present it is often shown by the following

symptoms:

• Difficulty with writing grip (the pencil is often held with a fist or the thumb may

• be tucked under the index finger).

• Problems with any fine motor skills requiring thumb and finger opposition and/or rapid alternating finger/thumb movements (dysdiadochokinesia).

• Tactile hypersensitivity of the hands.

• Poor speech articulation – “children who often talk with their hands and write with their mouth” i.e. they move their hand around when talking and twist their mouths when using their hand to write.

Please Note: The Neuro-developmental Programme is not a medical treatment but a developmental training programme. Our experience shows that our clients have experienced improvements in social, emotional, behavioural or academic performance following our sensory therapies. However we do not claim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, medical condition or any other physical or mental disorder and always recommend that clients consult their medical practitioners as appropriate and do their own research before commencing any of our therapies.

STNR

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) - it is about differentiating the top half of the body from the bottom half of the body.  It helps the infant to defy gravity and aligns the occipital and sacral regions.  If retained, it affects upper and lower body integration (makes swimming difficult).  It also affects posture, vertical eye tracking, muscle tone, strength, and concentration/attention