What Are Primitive Reflexes?

What is a “reflex”?

Most of us are familiar with and have experienced a simple reflex – touch something hot or sharp with your finger: what happens? – you very quickly pull your hand away from the heat or pain, without thinking about it! This is a reflex action. It is an involuntary reaction in response to a stimulus. This simple reflex action is controlled by areas of the spinal cord. It can occur at all times throughout our life.

There are different types of reflexes in which some but not all are controlled. From conception the nervous system develops in the form of primitive reflexes. The nervous system continues to develop and the babies neurological function and ability to survive on its own comes into play. Particular primitive reflexes aid in the birth process and then as the development of the nervous system continues further the postural reflexes then begin.

Primitive Reflexes are:

• Survival reflexes occurring sequentially in the first few weeks of foetal development
• Automatic, stereotyped movements (e.g. blinking and breathing) directed by a very primitive part of the brain (brain stem).
• Ideally short lived and as each fulfils its specialised function is replaced by more sophisticated structures, postural reflexes, which are controlled by the brain cortex.
• If the functions of these are not fulfilled they are “retained” and are considered evident of an immaturity within the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Older children and adults with atypical neurology (e.g., people with cerebral palsy) may retain these reflexes and primitive reflexes may reappear in adults. Reappearance may be attributed to certain neurological conditions including, but not limited to, dementia (especially in a rare set of diseases called frontotemporal degenerations), traumatic lesions, and strokes.^[2][3] An individual with cerebral palsy and typical intelligence can learn to suppress these reflexes, but the reflex might resurface under certain conditions (i.e., during extreme startle reaction). Reflexes may also be limited to those areas affected by the atypical neurology, (i.e., individuals with cerebral palsy that only affects their legs retaining the Babinski reflex but having normal speech); for those individuals with hemiplegia, the reflex may be seen in the foot on the affected side only.

Important types of developmental reflexes are:

Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR)

This reflex begins to function very early after conception and should normally be integrated before birth. It can be seen in utero as movements of the head, neck and body in response to a threat. It is sometimes classified as a Withdrawal reflex rather than a primitive reflex.

Retention of this reflex presents as:

• Fear and/or Anxiety
• Hypersensitivity
• Insecurity and not wanting to try new things
• Low tolerance to stressful situations
• Clinginess
• Temper tantrums

Moro Reflex

The moro reflex begins to function 9-12 weeks after conception and is normally fully developed at birth. It is the baby’s alarm reflex. The newborn’s higher centres are not sufficiently developed to make a rational decision whether a circumstance is threatened or not. The reflex is elicited by excessive information in any of the baby’s senses, a loud noise, bright light, sudden rough touch etc. turns on the reflex and because this reflex is a “one reflex for all occasions” the fight and flight hormonal and neurological response turns on, preparing the body for whatever turned on its alarm system.

If the moro reflex is evident after the age of 6 months then possible reactions include

• Uncontrolled over reaction to stimulus including noise and sensory stimulus
• Hyperactive behaviour and poor impulse control
• Immaturity and inability to socialise
• Inability to concentrate on a concept and finds peripheral stimulus too much
• Adrenal fatigue due to a constant increase in adrenalin
• Agitation and aggressive behaviour particularly in adults.

Juvenile Suck Thrust

Together with the Rooting reflex explained below this aids in the neonate to breast feed without any problems. If this reflex is not adequately integrated, the tongue projects forwards before moving backward in the normal swallow. Thus pushing the front teeth forward, altering the shape of the upper jaw causing a “overbite” and hence dental problems can develop later on.

Rooting Reflex

Light stroking of the cheek or stimulus of the edge of the mouth causes a baby to turn its head towards the stimulus, and open its mouth with extended tongue in preparation for suckling.

Retention symptoms include

• Fussy eating and possibly difficulty swallowing
• Thumb sucking
• Speech and articulation problems
• Constant dribbling
• Hormonal imbalances
• Poor manual dexterity due to the Babkin response.

Palmomental (PMR) & Plantomental Reflexes

The palmomental reflex is a reflex contraction of the eye in response to stimulus of the hand. This is also known as the “Babkin response”. This reflex emerges at 9 weeks in utero and is normally integrated by 3 months of age.

If the PMR is evident after 3 months of age it may present as

• Children may have a habit of biting
• Difficulty using a knife and fork
• Difficulty moving facial muscles
• Tension in the jaw when driving or concentrating
• Movement of the tongue and jaw in response to a stimulus with the hand

A noticeable change when this reflex has integrated is freedom of speech, hand articulation and facial mobility.

The Plantomental reflex is related to the stepping reflex and aids in crawling and the feet.

Palmar Reflex

Together with the plantar reflex this reflex develops in utero. The common evidence of this reflex being present is “grasping“. In early stages of neonatal development this reflex is also related to feeding (Babkin response). This reflex is elicited by suckling and kneading in time with the suckling response.

Retention symptoms past 3 months of age include:

• Poor handwriting with a noticeable difficulty getting things out on paper
• Poor fine motor skills and manual dexterity
• Verbal articulation problems
• General postural problems that cause a slump when sitting
• Possibly jumbles up letters as they write them down on paper

Plantar Reflex

The Plantar reflex like the Palmer is used for grasp and emerges in utero and is normal to be fully present at birth. It is normally integrated by 6 months of age. At this age crawling and general movement of the infant is beginning and it appears that this reflex may have connection with many of the gross motor function of an infant.

If the plantar reflex is retained:

• Balance and walking is effected
• Running awkwardly
• Difficulty learning to walk
• May have problems with sports that involve co-ordination and balance
• Adults may find that there is a chronic lower back ache on walking and standing for long periods of time
• Recurrent ankle twisting

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

This reflex begins about 18 weeks after conception and should be present at birth. This reflex appears to assist the babies movement and participation in the birthing process.

After birth the reflex continues and plays an important part in the development of hand eye coordination, object and distance perception. By the middle of the first year of life this is normally accomplished and the ATNR, being no longer required, should be integrated.

In early months, after hand-eye co-ordination is established, the ATNR locks vision on to anything which catches the attention. If the ATNR is retained beyond 6 months of age the following can be possible;

• Hand-eye co-ordination (this can be both related to movement with hand and eye in sport as well as handwriting concerns)
• Inability to cross over the midline of the body
• Problems with written performance and the child will find oral performances much easier
• Visual tracking problems
• Ambidexterity (inability to determine a dominant hand past the correct age)
• Proprioception and inability to judge distances.
• Adults can also have chronic shoulder problems and/or neck problems

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

The TLR begins about 12 weeks after conception. It involves the balance and position in space and is present at birth when the neck bends forward, backwards or tilts to one side. When this occurs with this reflex present the arms bend or extend depending on the position of the head. Each part of this reflex integrates at different times of the babies development and should be completed by the age of 3 years.

Retention of this reflex may cause

• Postural problems (predominantly tight or weak muscles globally)
• Prevents the Head Righting Reflex from developing
• Tendency for children to walk on their toes
• Fatigue while writing or sitting to study at a desk (due to the Head Righting Reflex not developing)
• Difficulty judging distance, speed, depth and space
• Motion sickness
• This reflex concentrates on the child’s balance system and has also been associated with auditory processing disorder

Lateral Labyrinthine Reflex

Commonly found in adults. Correction of this reflex is important for those receiving Sound Therapy. It reduces the occurrence of adverse reaction to sound therapy and may assist in its effectiveness. Lateral neck flexion is often greater immediately after correction. The patient may be a little disoriented for a short while after correction and it may take a few minutes to adjust.

Sagittal Labyrinthine Reflex (SLR)

The SLR is known to assist concentration and poor posture whilst sitting. This reflex is generally related to the TLR and STNR reflexes and is important in integration of these reflexes.

Tiredness at the end of the school day, poor concentration or retention of information in class is often associated with this reflex failing to integrate. This reflex is demonstrated when the child prefers to push their chair out too far, lean onto the desk, and props their head up on their hand to ensure their head is in line with their torso. Alternatively they may slump or prefer to do their homework lying on their stomach.

Spinal Galant Reflex (SGR)

The Spinal Galant Reflex begins about 18 weeks after conception and is normally integrated before the end of the first year of life. It appears to take an active role in the birth process, causing small movements of the hip on one side, similar to the head and shoulder movements of the ATNR.

Common retention symptoms include;

• Children who have ‘ants in their pants’
• Attention and concentration
• Bladder problems (predominantly bedwetting)
• Postural problems which may lead to scoliosis due to the muscular contraction on one side of the spine

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

The STNR is not present before or at birth and begins initially with bending of the spine at 6-9 months of life and then at 9-11 months in spinal extension. It should be integrated at 12 months of age and aids in the child’s ability to place itself in a position ready for locomotion.

Without the STNR integrating problems may include;

• Poor posture due to the small muscles in the back being weak
• Slouched posture.
• Poor hand-eye co-ordination
• Poor sensory integration
• Poor organisational and planning skills
• Inadequate integration of the ATNR leading to unusual movement patterns (crawling, walking and running)
• Visual difficulties such as fast tracking movements from one object to anther

Retention of this reflex affects gross motor skills. Children are more injury prone, clumsy, and may find it difficult to coordinate their upper and lower body together. Exercise may not be enjoyed but once corrected, we commonly see an eagerness to exercise and an improved performance running and swimming.

What is “Integration”?

Primitive reflexes are hard wired into our system and remain active our whole life. During our first year of life, as our nervous system matures we begin to think using our higher mind. Thinking allows us options to move a different way to the autonomic responses hardwired in our nervous system. In order for our new intentions to be carried out unimpeded, the cortex must have developed adequately to inhibit, or override, the active primitive reflex. If maturation of the cortex is hindered in any way, its suppressive function can fail to prevent the expression of the primitive programmed response to the stimulant. Symptomatic disruptions to learning and development occur when a person’s intended actions are constantly interrupted by a more primitive programmed action.

Primitive reflexes are stimulus-elicited, automatic, without cortical involvement. If their neonatal display is not integrated into higher function, the child has little or no control over their elicitation. There is little use trying to force extra teaching or behaviour modification upon a system in which the basic intrinsic modules for learning and behaviour are not correctly functioning.

How do we (BESTCentre) help our children with these reflexes?

The process involve light muscle testing and gentle pressure on particular points and various rhythmic movements to allow each reflex to integrate. These techniques are called Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT), and at BESTCentre, our experienced practitioners guides our children with specific sequence of movements which follows the developmental pathways that have been inhibited. As our children spend adequate time with us at the centre, we are able to work on them at specific intervals and allow the reflexes to properly integrate over time. Some of the reflexes integrate within weeks, whereas others take longer.

Why are Neonatal Reflexes retained in some babies and not others?

As previously mentioned reflexes are usually inhibited by the normal movements a baby makes in the early stages of development. If the baby does not make these normal movements, the neonatal reflexes will remain active and the postural reflexes may not develop normally and hence other aspects of neuro-development that is important for learning will therefore be delayed.

Reasons for retained neonatal reflexes may include: a genetic reason, in utero constraint, decreased normal movement during the early stages of life and chemical toxicity within the baby. This chemical toxicity may include metal toxicity, environmental toxicity or the bodies inability to breakdown foods ingested.

Part of text extracts from Norwest Wellness and Wikipedia.