Primitive Reflexes and Integration Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering primitive reflexes, their normal responses, integration timelines, and symptoms or clinical tests associated with their retention.

Primitive Reflexes

Automatic infant movement responses controlled primarily by the brainstem that help with birth, feeding, breathing, and early movement development.

Integration

The process where primitive reflexes disappear as higher Central Nervous System (CNS) control develops during infancy.

ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)

A reflex where turning an infant's head causes the same-side arm and leg to extend and the opposite-side arm and leg to flex; it should integrate by approximately $6$ months.

Moro Reflex

Also known as the 'Startle Reflex,' where a sudden stimulus causes arms to fling outward and then flex inward; associated with ADHD and sensory hypersensitivity if retained.

Palmar Reflex

A reflex where touching an infant's palm causes a grasp response; it should integrate by $3-6$ months and is linked to the hand-mouth connection.

Rooting Reflex

An infant reflex where stroking the cheek or mouth causes the infant to turn toward the stimulus; it should integrate by approximately $4$ months.

Spinal Galant Reflex

A reflex where stroking the side of the spine causes the trunk and hips to move toward the stimulus; often associated with bedwetting and fidgeting if retained.

STNR (Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)

A reflex appearing around the crawling stage where head flexion causes arms to flex and legs to extend, and head extension causes the opposite; should integrate by approximately 8-12 months.

TLR (Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex)

A foundation for head control and rolling that usually integrates by $3.5$ years; retained symptoms include toe walking and motion sickness.

Landau Reflex

A reflex that helps develop posture and extensor tone, usually integrated by approximately $12$ months; retention may lead to short-term memory problems.

Dysgraphia

A condition characterized by messy handwriting or poor pencil grip, high-yieldly associated with a retained Palmar reflex.

Ape-like walk

A specific gait pattern associated with a retained Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR).

W-sitting

A sitting position clinically associated with the retention of the Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR).

Ants in pants

A colloquial description for the restlessness and fidgeting caused by a retained Spinal Galant reflex, often triggered by clothing touching the lower back.

Starfish movement

A clinical test for the Moro reflex where the child opens and crosses their arms and legs rhythmically.

Hand-mouth connection

An association where tongue movements occur during hand use, specifically linked to the Palmar Reflex.

Containers

Parental convenience items like bouncy chairs, high chairs, and car seats that may contribute to retained reflexes if used excessively as 'babysitters.'

Snow Angels

A specific exercise used to help integrate the Spinal Galant reflex.

Meatball

An integration exercise for the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) involving crossing arms across the chest and lifting arms and legs into a V-up position.

Reflex Integration Exercises

A treatment protocol typically performed $5-7$ days per week for $10$ minutes per day over a period of approximately $6$ weeks.