Retained Primitive Reflexes: The Key Clinic's Ultimate Guide
At The Key Clinic, we offer Neurodevelopmental programmes that mature the nervous system by integrating ‘retained reflexes’ in children and adults that should have fulfilled their developmental role and disappeared long ago. Today we are answering the most common question that parents ask us: what are ‘retained reflexes’ and what do they do?
What are Retained Primitive Reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are repetitive, automatic movements that provide the foundation for all motor coordination skills and we ALL have them in our early life. Primitive reflexes are essential during infancy to develop head control, muscle tone, sensory integration and visual development. Integration of these reflexes is necessary for a child's development of spontaneous postural movement and proper visual-motor development.
However, these reflexes should not be present past very early childhood. When they are still present beyond this stage, retained reflexes can act as ‘blockages’ to further development. The obstacles they create manifest as everything from handwriting difficulty to a lack of balance or ‘clumsiness’.
This guide will take you through the most common retained primitive reflexes, explain what they are and list the indicators associated with them.
What is a Retained Moro Reflex?
The Moro reflex serves as a baby’s primitive fight or flight reaction. It is usually inhibited by around 4 months of post-natal life and replaced by an adult “startle” reflex. When the Moro reflex is retained in an older child it becomes an automatic uncontrollable overreaction to any type of stimulus, therefore overriding the higher decision making centre of the brain. Retention of the Moro reflex can present the following challenges: hyperactivity, extreme sensitivity to sudden movement, noise or light, sleeping problems, impulsive behaviours, inappropriate behavioural responses, food sensitivities, emotional and social immaturity, poor adaptation skills.
Retained Moro Reflex Symptoms:
Easily Distracted
Hypersensitive to sensory stimuli like light and sound and touch
Over sensitivity to motion causing car sickness
Or under sensitivity to sensory stimuli
Overreacts
Impulsive and aggressive
Emotional immaturity
Withdrawn or timid and shy
ADD
ADHD
Autism Spectrum
Asperger’s
Sensory Disorders
Difficulty making friends
Depression
Health Problems
Allergies and Asthma
Anger or Emotional Outbursts
Poor Balance and Coordination
Poor Digestion and Food Sensitivities
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown
Retained Moro Reflex Symptoms:
The ATNR reflex (asymmetrical tonic neck reflex) is activated by turning the head to the left or right side. As the head is turned, the arm and leg on the same side will extend while the opposite limbs bend. If not fully integrated, the ATNR reflex can cause difficulties with: hand-eye coordination, written expression, crossing midline, visual tracking, bilateral integration (use of both sides of the body simultaneously), and hand-dominance.
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex Symptoms:
Reading Difficulties
Hand-eye coordination problems
Awkward walk or gait
Difficulty in school
Immature handwriting
Difficulty in sports
Maths and reading issues
Poor balance
Eye, ear, foot, and hand dominance will not be on the same side
Difficulty in things that require crossing over the midline of the body
Poor depth perception
Shoulder, neck and hip problems
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.
What is a Retained TLR Reflex?
The TLR (tonic labyrinthine reflex) is associated with balance and coordination of the extremities. This reflex is activated by bending the head forward or backwards (head forward - the body and limbs curl inwards, head backwards - the body and torso straighten and extend). If not fully integrated the alignment of the head with the rest of the body will be uncoordinated. Proper head and neck alignment is necessary for balance, visual tracking, auditory processing and organised muscle tone, which are all vital to the ability to focus and pay attention.
Retained Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex Symptoms:
Poor balance and spatial awareness
Tense muscles and toe walking
Difficulty holding still and concentrating
Muscle tone issues
Poor posture
Difficulty paying attention when head is down (at a desk or reading)
Dyspraxia
Poor sense of rhythm
Gets motion sickness easily
Prefers to walk on toes
Speech and Auditory difficulty
Spatial issues
Bumps into things and people more than normal
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.
What is a Retained STNR Reflex?
STNR (symmetrical tonic neck reflex) - The STNR reflex causes the arms to bend and the legs to extend when the head is bent down and causes the opposite - legs bent, arms straight - when the head is bent backwards. If the STNR reflex remains present in an older child, it can cause difficulty with: integration of upper and lower portions of the body, sitting posture, typical muscle tone development, and poor hand-eye coordination.
Symptoms of STNR (symmetrical tonic neck reflex):
Poor posture standing
Sits with slumped posture
Low muscle tone
Ape-like walk
Problems with attention especially in stressful situations
Vision accommodation and tracking problems
Difficulty learning to swim
Difficulty reading
Usually skips crawling
Sits with legs in a W position
ADD
ADHD
Hyper activity or fidgety
Poor hand eye coordination
Problems looking between near and far sighted objects, like copying from a chalkboard
Sloppy eater
Rotated pelvis
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.
What is a Retained Spinal Galant Reflex?
The spinal galant reflex exists to help babies move their hips as they move through the birth canal and is elicited when the side of the lower spine is stroked gently. If not fully integrated, it can result in difficulties with potty training, concentration, posture, and digestion and can cause excessive fidgeting and hip movement while seated in a chair.
Symptoms of the Spinal Galant Reflex
ADHD-like symptoms
Struggles with written and verbal instructions
Loses focus frequently
Can’t sit quietly
Often chooses to do homework or watch TV while lying on the floor
Higher chances of bed-wetting when child is potty-trained
Dislikes sports or other physically engaging activities
Gravitates to loose fitting clothing around hips
Unbalanced gait
Struggles with running
Uncoordinated climbing stairs for a long period of time
Trips frequently
What is a Retained Fear Paralysis Reflex?
The FPR is a withdrawal reflex that emerges in the embryonic stage. During this stage the embryo reacts to stress and stimulation by withdrawing and freezing. As the foetus's tactile awareness develops, withdrawal upon contact gradually lessens. It is thought that this reflex is the first step in learning to cope with stress. Ideally, the FPR merges into the Moro reflex and has become inactive before birth. If the FPR is not fully integrated at birth it may contribute to life-long challenges related to fear. People with the FPR active may often be very anxious and tend to veer towards negativity which can prevent them from easily moving forward to living a meaningful, interactive life. An active FPR often goes hand-in-hand with an unintegrated Moro reflex.
Possible long term effects of an unintegrated FPR are:
Shallow, difficult breathing
Underlying anxiety or negativity
Insecure, low self-esteem
Depression/isolation/withdrawal
Constant feelings of overwhelm
Extreme shyness, fear in groups
Excessive fear of embarrassment
Fear of separation from a loved one, clinging
Sleep & eating disorders
Feeling stuck
Elective mutism
Withdrawal from touch
Extreme fear of failure, perfectionism
Phobias
Aggressive or controlling behaviour, craves attention
Low tolerance to stress
What is a Retained Palmar Reflex?
The Palmar Reflex a.k.a. 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.
Retained Palmar Reflex Symptoms:
Poor handwriting
Poor pencil grip
Poor fine muscle control
Poor dexterity
Poor fine motor skills
Poor vision coordination
Slumped posture when using hands
Back aches when sitting
Sticks tongue out when using hands
Poor pencil grip
Poor ability to put thoughts to paper
Dysgraphia
Speech and language problems
Anger control issues
Even if they don’t display any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to do the quick test on them, as there may be other functions that are affected by it that are still unknown.
Neurodevelopmental Therapy:
As you can see, retained primitive reflexes vary and have a range of presenting symptoms, but they can be addressed using what is called NeuroMature Therapy. All our Neurodevelopmental programmes are personalised to each patient by practitioners based on the findings of our rigorous assessment process.
If you are experiencing reading difficulties or know someone who is, you can give our friendly team a call on 01635 761565 to discuss your situation and the options available to you.