Information about some reflexes and their implications:

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

The ATNR is activated as a result of turning the head to one side. As the head is turned, the arm and leg on the same side will extend while the opposite limbs bend. The reflex should be inhibited by 6 months of age in the waking state. If the ATNR remains active in a child at a later age, it can affect:

• Hand-eye co-ordination - difficulties such as ability to control the arm
and hand when writing.
• Ability to cross the vertical midline. For example, a right-handed child may find it difficult to write on the left side of the page
• Discrepancy between oral and written performance
• Development of lateral eye movements such as visual tracking (necessary for reading and writing)
• Control of automatic balance
• Bilateral integration (differentiated and integrated use of the two sides of the body)
• Continued cross laterality or ambiguity of laterality above 8 years of age

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

The STNR is present in normal development from circa 8 to 11 months of post-natal life and is a precursor to crawling on the hands and knees. If it remains present in an older child, it can affect:

• Integration of upper and lower portions of the body (for example, when swimming)
• Sitting posture (tendency to slump when sitting at a desk or a table)
• Poorly developed muscle tone
• Poor hand-eye co-ordination
• Attention

Spinal Galant Reflex

This reflex is present at birth and should be inhibited between 3 and 9 months of post-natal life. If it persists it can affect:

• Ability to sit still
• Attention
• Co-ordination
• Posture
• Sometimes associated with bedwetting
• Can contribute to the development of scoliosis (curvature) of the spine

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

Inhibition of the TLR is a gradual process involving the maturation of other systems. It should be completed by three and a half years of age. If it persists beyond this time, it is sometimes associated with:

• Postural problems, specifically hyper- or hypo-tonus (muscle tone)
• Tendency to walk on the toes
• Poor balance
• History of motion sickness
• Orientation and spatial difficulties
• Oculo-motor problems
• Visual-perceptual problems
• Dislike of Physical Education (PE)

The Moro Reflex

The Moro reflex acts as a baby’s primitive fight/flight reaction. It should be inhibited by circa 4 months of post-natal life to be replaced by an adult 'startle' reflex. If it persists in the older child, it can be associated with:

• Hypersensitivity
• Hyper-reactivity
• Poor impulse control
• Stimulus bound effect (cannot ignore peripheral stimuli to focus attention on one thing – has to pay attention to everything)
• Sensory overload
• Anxiety (particularly anticipation anxiety)
• Labile emotions
• Emotional and social immaturity

Reference material

A fuller description of these reflexes and others, their function and symptoms if they remain in the older child, can be found in:
Reflexes, Learning and Behavior by Sally Goddard published by Fern Ridge press
(ISBN 0-9615332-8-5).

Multisensory Interventions founder Mary Mountstephen (MA SEN) is licensed by INPP to undertake assessments, analysis and consultancy in order to provide appropriate programmes based on the INPP thinking and practice.

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