Primitive Reflexes

Question 1

Asymmetrical Tonic neck reflex

Answer 1

stimulus
- head position, turned to one side

response
- arm and leg on face side are extended, arm and leg on scalp side are flexed, spine curved with convexity toward face side

normal age of response
- birth to 6 months

persistent negative interference

• feeding
• visual tracking
• midline use of hands
• rolling
• bilateral hand use
• development of crawling
• can lead to skeletal deformities

Question 2

symmetrical tonic neck reflex

Answer 2

stimulus
- head position, extension or flexion

response

• when head is flexed, arms are flexed, legs are extended
• when head is extended, arms are extended and legs are flexed

normal age of response
- 6-8 months

persistent negative interference

• ability to prop on arms in prone
• attaining and maintaining hands and knees position
• crawling reciprocally
• sitting balance when looking around
• use of hands when looking at object in hands in sitting position

Question 3

tonic labyrinthine reflex

Answer 3

stimulus
- position of labyrinth in inner ear - reflected in head position

response

• in supine, body and extremities are held in extension
• in prone, body and extremities are held in flexion

normal age of response
- birth to 6 months

persistent negative interference

• ability to initiate rolling
• ability to prop on elbows with extended hips when prone
• ability to flex trunk and hips to come to sitting position from supine position
• often causes full body extension, which interferes with balance in sitting or standing

Question 4

galant reflex

Answer 4

stimulus
- touch to skin along spine from shoulder to hip

response
- lateral flexion of trunk to side of stimulus

normal age of response
- 30 weeks of gestation to 2 months

persistent negative interference

• development of sitting balance
• can lead to scoliosis

Question 5

palmar grasp reflex

Answer 5

stimulus
- pressure in palm on ulnar side of hand

response
- flexion of fingers causing strong grip

normal age of response
- birth to 4 months

persistent negative interference

• ability to grasp and release objects voluntarily
• weight bearing on open hand for propping, crawling, protective responses

Question 6

plantar grasp reflex

Answer 6

stimulus
- pressure to base of toes

response
- toe flexion

normal age of response
- 28 weeks of gestation to 9 months

persistent negative interference

• ability to stand with feet flat on surface
• balance reactions and weight shifting in standing

Question 7

rooting reflex

Answer 7

stimulus
- touch on cheek

response
- turning head to same side with mouth open

normal age of response
- 28 weeks of gestation to 3 months

persistent negative interference

• oral motor development
• development of midline control of head
• optical righting, visual tracking, and social interaction

Question 8

moro reflex

Answer 8

stimulus
- head dropping into extension suddenly for a few inches

response
- arms abduct with fingers open, then cross trunk into adduction, cry

normal age of response
- 28 weeks of gestation to 5 months

persistent negative interference

• balance reactions in sitting
• protective responses in sitting
• eye-hand coordination, visual tracking

Question 9

startle reflex

Answer 9

stimulus
- loud, sudden noise

response
- similar to moro, but elbows remain flexed and hands closed

normal age of response
- 28 weeks gestation to 5 months

persistent negative interference

• sitting balance
• protective responses in sitting
• eye-hand coordination, visual tracking
• social interaction, attention

Question 10

positive support reflex

Answer 10

stimulus
- supported upright position with soles of feet on firm surface

response
- reciprocal flexion/extension of legs

normal age of response
- 38 weeks gestation to 2 months

persistent negative interference

• standing and walking
• balance reactions and weight shifting in standing
• development of smooth, coordinated reciprocal movements of LE