Reflexes

Reflexes are sets of automatic movements that are inherent in our nervous system. They begin to develop in the womb and continue to emerge through the first few months of life. These automatic movements are responses to very specific stimulation and are performed without thinking. The brain processes all of this at the sub-cortical level of our nervous system.

Reflexes are needed for survival and protection. Ideally, these primitive reflexes merge into more complex movements, they integrate into our movement patterns allowing postural reflexes to emerge and build the foundation for posture, balance and overall regulation of arousal and affect. Some reflexes are meant to stay with us our whole lives and continue to protect us.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A REFLEX DOES NOT INTEGRATE INTO OUR SYSTEM PROPERLY? When reflexes are not integrated or fail to mature, our sensory systems function poorly, the brain is confused by stimuli, and motor output is incorrect or inefficient. This negative development compromises the overall development of reasoning skills. When the subcortical parts of the brain are stuck in protection loops, we can’t use our cortex for reasoning and thinking. Negative protection loops may look like: Over compensation of muscle activity for the task at hand Lack of adequate muscle activity for the task at hand Incorrect movement patterns coming in to replace or assist movement Avoidance of movement Emotional instability Hyperfocus Lack of Focus Not having a response when one is needed or; Having a response that is too strong for the presenting need THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT REFLEXES WHICH AFFECT DEVELOPMENT, THE FOLLOWING ARE ONES THAT COMMONLY INTERFERE WITH LEARNING. 1. MORO REFLEX Triggered by a sudden change in head position, the head tilts back, arms/legs go into extension with a deep inhalation in; followed by the head, arms and legs folding in flexion, hands go into fists with exhalation.

HOW DOES THIS REFLEX HELP US?

  • Signals the fight or flight system
  • Helps us to organize and self-regulate
  • Foundation for concentration and comprehension

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE REFLEX DOESN'T INTEGRATE PROPERLY?

  • Excessive anxiety
  • Over worked adrenal glands leading to:
  • Weakened immune system, allergies, infections
  • Hypersensitivity of vestibular system
  • Poor balance, motion sickness
  • Fear of taking risks required for learning leading to dependency

 

2. ASYMMETRIC TONIC NECK REFLEX: (ATNR)

This is triggered when the head turns to one side, the arms and legs on that side extend while the limbs on the other side bend in flexion.

This baby is holding the ATNR position. This reflex appears during the 13th week in utero. In their day-to-day movements, a baby will use this position until 4-6 months.

By using this position they are integrating/maturing this reflex and it should be totally integrated into the whole motor system between 6-7 months. When this is done, this reflex won’t show again.

The ATNR is a foundational reflex. If a baby does not do this movement, the next reflex will not integrate/mature and so on and so forth. This reflex prepares the infant for future transitional movements, like turning from back to front and vise versa.

It is extremely important for learning and academics because of its connection with the development of multiple cognitive systems: auditory, auditory-visual, space and space-time orientation, and auditory perception, processing memory.

 

HOW DOES THIS REFLEX HELP US?

  • Helps infant breathe when on their tummy
  • Hearing development for protection
  • Foundation of language development
  • Flexion/extension of arms and legs, basis for later reaching
  • Differentiation of right and left sides of the body
  • Key for finding midline and developing hand dominance
  • Assists in the development of hand/eye coordination
  • Affects attention and working memory

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE REFLEX DOESN'T INTEGRATE PROPERLY?

  • Lack of coordination in cross lateral movement
  • Poor focused and peripheral vision, focus tied to arm's length.
  • Difficulty with attention, focus, memory and thinking
  • Auditory Hypersensitivity (often seen in ADD, ADHD and autism)
  • Dyslexia and Dyscalculia
  • Confusion in sensory system (ears, eyes and therefore memory)
  • Difficulty throwing and catching
  • Learning issues: language, reading, spelling, math, hand-writing
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A REFLEX DOES NOT INTEGRATE INTO OUR SYSTEM PROPERLY? When reflexes are not integrated or fail to mature, our sensory systems function poorly, the brain is confused by stimuli, and motor output is incorrect or inefficient. This negative development compromises the overall development of reasoning skills. When the subcortical parts of the brain are stuck in protection loops, we can’t use our cortex for reasoning and thinking. Negative protection loops may look like: Over compensation of muscle activity for the task at hand Lack of adequate muscle activity for the task at hand Incorrect movement patterns coming in to replace or assist movement Avoidance of movement Emotional instability Hyperfocus Lack of Focus Not having a response when one is needed or; Having a response that is too strong for the presenting need THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT REFLEXES WHICH AFFECT DEVELOPMENT, THE FOLLOWING ARE ONES THAT COMMONLY INTERFERE WITH LEARNING. 1. MORO REFLEX Triggered by a sudden change in head position, the head tilts back, arms/legs go into extension with a deep inhalation in; followed by the head, arms and legs folding in flexion, hands go into fists with exhalation.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A REFLEX DOES NOT INTEGRATE INTO OUR SYSTEM PROPERLY? When reflexes are not integrated or fail to mature, our sensory systems function poorly, the brain is confused by stimuli, and motor output is incorrect or inefficient. This negative development compromises the overall development of reasoning skills. When the subcortical parts of the brain are stuck in protection loops, we can’t use our cortex for reasoning and thinking. Negative protection loops may look like: Over compensation of muscle activity for the task at hand Lack of adequate muscle activity for the task at hand Incorrect movement patterns coming in to replace or assist movement Avoidance of movement Emotional instability Hyperfocus Lack of Focus Not having a response when one is needed or; Having a response that is too strong for the presenting need THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT REFLEXES WHICH AFFECT DEVELOPMENT, THE FOLLOWING ARE ONES THAT COMMONLY INTERFERE WITH LEARNING. 1. MORO REFLEX Triggered by a sudden change in head position, the head tilts back, arms/legs go into extension with a deep inhalation in; followed by the head, arms and legs folding in flexion, hands go into fists with exhalation.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A REFLEX DOES NOT INTEGRATE INTO OUR SYSTEM PROPERLY? When reflexes are not integrated or fail to mature, our sensory systems function poorly, the brain is confused by stimuli, and motor output is incorrect or inefficient. This negative development compromises the overall development of reasoning skills. When the subcortical parts of the brain are stuck in protection loops, we can’t use our cortex for reasoning and thinking. Negative protection loops may look like: Over compensation of muscle activity for the task at hand Lack of adequate muscle activity for the task at hand Incorrect movement patterns coming in to replace or assist movement Avoidance of movement Emotional instability Hyperfocus Lack of Focus Not having a response when one is needed or; Having a response that is too strong for the presenting need THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT REFLEXES WHICH AFFECT DEVELOPMENT, THE FOLLOWING ARE ONES THAT COMMONLY INTERFERE WITH LEARNING. 1. MORO REFLEX Triggered by a sudden change in head position, the head tilts back, arms/legs go into extension with a deep inhalation in; followed by the head, arms and legs folding in flexion, hands go into fists with exhalation.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A REFLEX DOES NOT INTEGRATE INTO OUR SYSTEM PROPERLY? When reflexes are not integrated or fail to mature, our sensory systems function poorly, the brain is confused by stimuli, and motor output is incorrect or inefficient. This negative development compromises the overall development of reasoning skills. When the subcortical parts of the brain are stuck in protection loops, we can’t use our cortex for reasoning and thinking. Negative protection loops may look like: Over compensation of muscle activity for the task at hand Lack of adequate muscle activity for the task at hand Incorrect movement patterns coming in to replace or assist movement Avoidance of movement Emotional instability Hyperfocus Lack of Focus Not having a response when one is needed or; Having a response that is too strong for the presenting need THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT REFLEXES WHICH AFFECT DEVELOPMENT, THE FOLLOWING ARE ONES THAT COMMONLY INTERFERE WITH LEARNING. 1. MORO REFLEX Triggered by a sudden change in head position, the head tilts back, arms/legs go into extension with a deep inhalation in; followed by the head, arms and legs folding in flexion, hands go into fists with exhalation.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A REFLEX DOES NOT INTEGRATE INTO OUR SYSTEM PROPERLY? When reflexes are not integrated or fail to mature, our sensory systems function poorly, the brain is confused by stimuli, and motor output is incorrect or inefficient. This negative development compromises the overall development of reasoning skills. When the subcortical parts of the brain are stuck in protection loops, we can’t use our cortex for reasoning and thinking. Negative protection loops may look like: Over compensation of muscle activity for the task at hand Lack of adequate muscle activity for the task at hand Incorrect movement patterns coming in to replace or assist movement Avoidance of movement Emotional instability Hyperfocus Lack of Focus Not having a response when one is needed or; Having a response that is too strong for the presenting need THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT REFLEXES WHICH AFFECT DEVELOPMENT, THE FOLLOWING ARE ONES THAT COMMONLY INTERFERE WITH LEARNING. 1. MORO REFLEX Triggered by a sudden change in head position, the head tilts back, arms/legs go into extension with a deep inhalation in; followed by the head, arms and legs folding in flexion, hands go into fists with exhalation.