What are Primitive Reflexes?

The primitive reflexes are a group of motor reflexes found in newborn babies.

I learned about primitive reflexes and their importance in sensory processing and autism behaviours, and delays, whilst studying with Epidemic Answers for my health coach qualification.  I would say with certainty that most children with autism will have some sort of retained reflex. They can impact everything from speech, balance, auditory tolerance, picky eating, and so much more. See below.  

After I learned about this topic, we started to practice the exercises with Rose. Within just one week of daily exercises, her fine and gross motor skills showed significant improvements. Reflex integration has definitely been one of the puzzle pieces for us. And so I thought it was worth sharing information about it here for you guys too. 

My favourite practitioners for brain development coaching are Lara Barnes and Darren Barnes Heath. Both are exceptional, and have experience from a parenting as well as a practitioner perspective. You can find their details below 

WHAT ARE THE PRIMITIVE REFLEXES...?

Everyone begins life with reactions to external stimuli; these reactions are called primitive reflexes. A reflex is an immediate, involuntary response evoked by a given stimulus. All reflex responses are involuntary and are not voluntarily or actively set off.  Primitive reflexes are motor/movement reflexes, and a specific stimulus will lead to the same pattern or sequence of movements each time.

The first of the primitive reflexes to emerge in utero is the Moro reflex, which appears between nine and twelve weeks after conception. This is the fight-or-flight reflex, similar to the open-hand and wide-eyed reaction you would see from a startled baby.  In the first year of life, as a child grows and matures, the primitive reflexes are integrated or absorbed and replaced by the postural reflexes, such as sitting up, crawling, walking, etc. Primitive reflexes never disappear but can be activated deliberately, and they might gradually re-emerge with ageing. Following a head injury, cerebral insult or disease, they may dramatically reappear.

There are various types of primitive reflexes that may contribute to heightened sensory sensitivities associated with Sensory Processing Disorder, including the Moro reflex and Palmar or grasp reflex, which is the natural grasping reflex babies have when they try to grab an object.

When there is a lack of primitive reflex integration during that one to two years, and the reflexes instead remain intact, they can adversely impact the development of a child's response patterns. delay postural reflex development and potentially lead to sensory processing issues. Some signs may include sensory overload, hypersensitivity, fine motor skill challenges, and hyper reactivity. This adversely impacts individuals with sensory processing disorder and how they react to different situations, such as the sound of loud laughter or multiple conversations happening at the same time.

Retained primitive reflexes can lead to developmental delays and are often related to disorders like ADHD, sensory processing disorder, autism, and learning disabilities. The persistence of primitive reflexes contributes to issues that can affect all aspects of a child’s life, such as coordination, balance, sensory perceptions, fine motor skills, sleep, immunity, energy levels, impulse control, concentration and all levels of social, emotional, and academic learning.

Primitive reflexes inhibit or ‘turn off’ from use, and this should occur as part of a child’s normal stages of development.  Retained primitive reflexes need to be ‘used’ to turn off and for the postural reflexes to take over.  Deliberate exercises are often required if a child has retained reflexes. 

ROLE OF THE PRIMITIVE REFLEXES..

• To help with survival in those delicate early months when the baby's nervous system is not fully connected.

  
  

• To assist the baby to move, by helping to make the baby aware of their body and surroundings.

RETAINED REFLEXES - CAUSES?

There are a number of reasons that reflexes are retained/ there is a lack of sensory integration...

• One of the biggest factors that causes reflexes to be retained is a traumatic birthing process.  This includes prolonged or premature birth, breach position, births involving forceps or suction, and Caesarean section births.  This is because several primitive reflexes turn off or are inhibited as the baby comes down the birth canal.  

• Delayed or skipped milestones such as creeping or crawling, falls or severe knocks, and chronic ear infections. 

• When babies are not spending enough time lying on their stomachs (also known as “tummy time”).

• Lack of exploration of the infant’s space and world during the creeping and crawling stage can also cause reflexes to be retained.  If an infant spends a great deal of time in a car seat, buggy, cot, bouncey chair or other confining environment, it is more likely that the primitive reflexes will be retained past the typical timeline. 

• Toxins

• Stress in utero

8 important primitive reflexes

Moro Reflex

'The Moro Reflex develops about the thirteenth week of gestation. It develops to help protect the baby from danger sensed through the sensory system and take the first breath of life. When a newborn is startled or receives sensory input like a jarring, sudden light or sound, the arms will flail out, then the baby quickly takes a deep breath, then curls up, crossing both arms and legs.

This is an involuntary reflex that is part of normal development and should disappear between 2-4 months of age. Because this reflex is triggered by the sensory systems, it can cause an array of problems if it remains longer.

Paediatricians will check this reflex at the baby’s 6-week appointment to make sure it is present. They seldom check in later appointments to make sure it was integrated and gone. It is not part of the pediatric list of assessments done at later appointments.

Because of the changing environment, procedures, and lack of tummy time, more children are not integrating this reflex.' 

Palmar Reflex or Grasp Reflex

' The Palmar Reflex, aka Grasp Reflex, is seen when an infant grips around an object that touches their palm. This is normal and helps the baby learn to grip and hang on to things with their hands. The Palmar Reflex develops in the third month of gestation and should disappear at around 3-6 months of age as they gain hand control. It is needed for hand-eye coordination, proper vision, and direction/distance judgement.  If it isn’t properly integrated, it can contribute to an array of problems.'

Landau Reflex

'The Landau Reflex is one that develops a few months after birth and remains until about 12 months old. It is useful in helping the child develop posture. If the Landau Reflex does not integrate (go away), it can cause posture, motor, and memory issues later on.'

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

'The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex, like the Spinal Gallant Reflex (SGR), helps the infant do their part of emergence through the birth canal and learn hand and eye control. You will notice it in an infant if you gently turn their head to one side. The arm and leg on the same side will straighten, while the arm and leg on the opposite side will flex. The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex develops at 18 weeks after conception and should be integrated and gone by about 6 months after birth. If not, it can cause motor issues, reading, math, and other learning problems.

The connection between the hand and eyes helps develop depth perception and eye-hand coordination. If the ATNR is retained, the child will have difficulty walking normally when turning his head or problems writing and reading when head movement is needed, which is always. For example, writing while looking back and forth to the blackboard or a book.'

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

The Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex is present at birth, then disappears until about 6 to 9 months. It reappears for a few months to assist in learning to crawl.

You will notice it in a baby if you move their chin down toward their chest. The knees will bend. If you move the head up toward the back, the legs will straighten. Do not confuse this with the Landau Reflex. They are two separate reflexes.

If this does not integrate and disappear by about 11 months, it can cause motor learning and behaviour disorders. Simple exercises can solve the problem.

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex

'Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is the foundation for head control. Baby needs it to roll, crawl, and later stand and walk. It develops in the womb and continues past the first year of life. It is usually integrated within 3 years. If not, it can cause problems.

When a baby is lying back, and the head is tilted back, the baby will stiffen the legs, bend elbows, make fists or curled fingers, and the toes will point. This is normal for an infant. As the baby matures, starts to walk, and gains control over the large muscles, the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex will integrate and disappear.

If the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex does not integrate, the functions that develop after do not organise correctly.'

Rooting Reflex

'The Rooting Reflex is important in helping an infant locate food and breastfeed. It develops during pregnancy and continues until the baby is about 4 months old.  You will notice the Rooting Reflex in a newborn if you brush your finger down one side of the mouth. The baby will turn toward the stroke and open the mouth. This is normal, but it should integrate (disappear) by about 4 months. If it is not properly integrated, it can contribute to problems in speech, writing, eating disorders and Thyroid problems. Be sure to do the Retained Rooting Reflex Test shown below on your child.

Children with eating disorders aggravated by a Retained Rooting Reflex will have a constant urge to have something in their mouth, yet are often sensitive to textures. These ones end up being the ones that are always chewing on something plastic, drooling, or struggling to form their words properly. The Retained Rooting Reflex can cause the tongue to lie too far forward in the mouth. This can cause difficulty swallowing and chewing their food.'

Spinal Galant Reflex

'The Spinal Galant Reflex develops in the womb at about 20 weeks of gestation. It helps the baby develop the Vestibular System. In Infancy, the Spinal Galant Reflex, along with the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), are necessary to help the unborn infant descend down the birth canal. It also helps the baby urinate after birth. You will see the reflex in an infant if you gently stroke down one side of the lower part of the spine. The baby’s arms and legs will sway toward the direction of the stroke, almost like being ticklish. If both sides of the spine are stroked at the same time, it induces urination. This is normal. However, the Spinal Galant Reflex should be gone by 3-9 months as higher muscle control develops. This is called ‘integrating’. If not properly integrated, it can cause many subtle issues.'