More information on Primitive Reflexes   When primitive reflexes are not inhibited in the early years of life, they might be involved in specific learning difficulties and behavioural problems. Here are four key reflexes and the potential effects they may have if retained. The Moro Reflex The Moro reflex acts as a baby’s primitive fight/flight reaction. It should typically be inhibited by around 4 months of age and be replaced by the adult "startle" reflex.  If it persists in past this point, it can be associated with: * Hypersensitivity * Hyper-reactivity * Poor impulse control * Stimulus bound (can't focus attention on one thing – has to pay attention to everything) * Sensory overload * Anxiety (particularly anticipation anxiety) * Emotional and social immaturity Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) Inhibition of the TLR is a gradual process involving the maturation of other systems. It should typically be completed by three and a half years of age. If it is not inhibited it can be associated with: * Postural problems, specifically hyper- or hypo-tonus (muscle tone) * Tendency to walk on the toes * Poor balance * Motion sickness * Orientation and spatial difficulties * Oculo-motor problems * Visual-perceptual problems * Dislike of PE/Physical Education Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) This reflex should typically be inhibited by 6 months of age in the waking state. If the ATNR remains active into later stages, 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 when a baby is around 8 to 11 months old and is a precursor to crawling on the hands and knees. If it remains present in alater stages, it can affect: * Integration of upper and lower portions of the body (e.g 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 If you would like to read more on this subject, we find this book is very useful and recommend it (you can order it on Amazon): Reflexes, Learning & Behavior by Sally Goddard (Fern Ridge press ISBN 0-9615332-8-5) These are only some of the reflexes that might be involved in specific learning difficulties and behavioural problems. So at an initial assessment, we test to see if these or other reflexes are still present.  Typically two or more reflexes will be present before a diagnosis of Neuro-Developmental Delay is considered.   Neuro Developmental Therapy has different exercises to work on the different reflexes and any programme will work through them in the best sequence for each individual client. Click here to return to our NeuroDevelopmental Therapy page