Primitive Reflexes

Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR)- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: rotation of the head

Response: facial side arm: elbow extends & shoulder ABD; occipital side arm: elbow flexes & shoulder ABD

Normal age of response: birth- 6 months

Symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR)- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: head, flexion or extension

Response: when the head is in flexion= arms are flexed, legs are extended; when head is in extension= arms are extended and legs are flexed

Normal age of response: 6-8 months (associated with crawling)

Moro and Startle- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: head drop backwards activating vestibular system= Moro and loud noise= startle

Response: ABD and extension of arms and splaying of the fingers; potentially following by arm flexion and ADD

Normal age of response: 28 wks gestation to 3-5 months

Palmar grasp- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: pressure to the palm of the hand

Response: sustained flexion of fingers

Normal age of response: 28 weeks gestation to 4 months

Plantar grasp- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: pressure to the sole of the foot just distal to metatarsal heads

Response: flexion of toes

Normal age of response: 28 weeks gestation to 9 months

Positive support reflex- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: weight placed on balls of feet when upright

Response: stiffening of legs and trunk into extension

Normal age of response: 35 weeks gestation to 2 months

Rooting- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: touch to perioral area of infant

Response: rotate head and lips toward stimulus

Normal age of response: 28 weeks gestation to 3 months

Galant- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: stroke paravertebral skin with patient in prone

Response: lateral trunk flexion to ipsilateral side of stimulus

Normal age of response: 30 wks gestation to 2 months

Autonomic Walking (stepping) Reflex- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: hold upright with feet on stable surface

Response: high stepping movements with regular rhythm

Normal age of response: 38 weeks gestation to 2-4 months

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)/ Landau- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: held in prone in the air

Response: lifting of the head and extension of the neck and trunk

Normal age of response: birth- 6 mo

Babinski Reflex- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: stroke the lateral plantar aspect of the foot (S1 dermatome), integrity of CST

Normal response: birth to 12- 24 months- big toe extends upward with other toes fanning out

Abnormal response: after 12 months- extension of the toes

Parachute Reflex- stimulus, response, normal age of response

Stimulus: quickly turn face towards the ground as if falling

Response: ABD of arm with extension of elbows, wrist, and hands; protective reaction

Normal age of response: 6-8 mo; **does NOT integrate