Primitive Reflexes Practical

Question 1

Plantar: motor response

Answer 1

extension, “fanning” of toes

Question 2

Plantar: function

Answer 2

balance, mobility, kicking movements

Question 3

Plantar: integrated or inhibited by

Answer 3

2-3 months

Question 4

Plantar: functional implications

Answer 4

• can impede cross pattern crawling
• delayed ambulation
• difficulty donning and/or doffing socks

Question 5

Spinal Galant: motor response

Answer 5

• tighten, twitch, or jerking of the muscles on the same side
• lateral flexion towards stimulus

Question 6

Spinal Galant: function

Answer 6

“walk” down the birth canal

Question 7

Spinal Galant: integrated or inhibited by

Answer 7

9-10 months

Question 8

Spinal Galant: functional implications

Answer 8

• posture
• gait
• locomotion
• fidgeting
• bed wetting
• poor concentration
• poor bladder control
• scoliosis if presented on one side

Question 9

Moro: motor response (infants)

Answer 9

• inhalation, momentary gasp/cry/freeze
• shoulders aBduct, elbows, wrist and fingers extend
• followed by shoulder adduction and elbow and finger flex
• reddening

Question 10

Moro: motor response (child)

Answer 10

upper body aBduction and extension beyond 30 degrees

Question 11

Moro: function

Answer 11

• facilitates first breath of life
• survival
• summoning help

Question 12

Moro: integrated or inhibited by

Answer 12

3-4 months

Question 13

Moro: functional implications

Answer 13

• difficulty with change
• hypersensitivity
• difficulty with emotional profile (angst, mood swings, insecurity)

Question 14

Rooting: motor response

Answer 14

• head turns toward stimulus

- look for mouth or hands to twitch on either side

Question 15

Rooting: function

Answer 15

• feeding
• eating
• sucking reflex

Question 16

Rooting: integrated or inhibited by

Answer 16

6-12 months

Question 17

Rooting: functional implications

Answer 17

can affect:

• sucking
• swallowing
• feeding
• speech and articulation

Question 18

Palmar Grasp: motor response

Answer 18

• fingers flex into tight grip

- look for fingers to twitch or elbows to twitch or bend in slightly

Question 19

Palmar Grasp: function

Answer 19

-grasping people and objects

Question 20

Palmar Grasp: integrated or inhibited by

Answer 20

5-6 months

Question 21

Palmar Grasp: functional implications

Answer 21

• difficulties with manual dexterity
• handwriting issues
• poor pencil grip (“death grip”)
• poor fine motor skills and fine muscle control

Question 22

Tonic Labyrinthe: motor response

Answer 22

neck flexion or extension

Question 23

Tonic Labyrinthe: function

Answer 23

-creates motor movements in relation to the position of the head
-at birth: supine=extensor tone present
prone=flexion tone increases

Question 24

Tonic Labyrinthe: integrated or inhibited by

Answer 24

5-7 months

Question 25

Tonic Labyrinthe: functional implications

Answer 25

- difficulty with crawling, walking, lifting head - gravitational insecurity - perception challenges - poor posture - poor balance - tense muscles - toe walking - muscle tone problems (low tone)

Question 26

STNR: motor response

Answer 26

-when neck is FLEXED= arms FLEX and legs extend (hips extend) -when neck is EXTENDED=arms EXTEND and legs flex (hips flex)

Question 27

STNR: function

Answer 27

- creeping and crawling - developing bilateral patterns of movement - postural control - coordination

Question 28

STNR: integrated or inhibited by

Answer 28

8-12 months

Question 29

STNR: functional implications

Answer 29

- may skip creeping and crawling | - poor reading and writing skills (due to difficulty focusing on a near point)

Question 30

ATNR: motor response

Answer 30

- extension of arm and leg on face side - flexion on the other side - skull side elbow to bend ("fencer's pose")

Question 31

ATNR: function

Answer 31

- hand-eye coordination - spontaneous rolling - initial rolling

Question 32

ATNR: integrated or inhibited by

Answer 32

6 months

Question 33

ATNR: functional implications

Answer 33

- difficulties bringing hands to mid line - scoliosis - hip subluxation - problems with hand writing and fine motor activities - poor balance - difficulty with distance vision ("robot walking")