Question

Which reflexes are most commonly retained in children with disabilities (different from the general population)?

Which populations of children are we most likely to see retained reflexes?

In general, what are the residual effects of un-integrated primitive reflexes?

What functional deficits might a child experience when the following reflexes are not integrated:

ATNR-

STNR-

Moro-

Spinal Galant-

Describe how you would test each of these reflexes for retention:

ATNR-

STNR-

Moro-

Spinal Galant-

Describe an exercise/activity you would recommend to promote integration of each of these reflexes:

ATNR-

STNR-

Moro-

Spinal Galant-

Answer 1

The most commonly retaimed reflexes in children with disabilities are primitive reflexes like moro reflex,grasping reflex,plantar,sucking,rooting reflex,assymetrical tonic neck reflex,symmaetrical tonic neck reflex .galant reflex,tonic labrynthine reflex etc.these reflexes disappear and integrates in to voluntary movements with age.if it persists or retains it meabs that child has some developmental delay or any disability in motor or cognitive skills.

Toddlers and preschool children are most affected group of children as most of the reflexes are integrated to voluntary movements in this time period.

Functional deficits if reflexes are not integrated

Preschool children who retained the TLR and ATNR reflexes had difficulty with motor skills such as running, cycling, throwing, or catching a ball. For these children, even rolling, bringing their hands together, or bringing their hands to their mouth can be awkward. In the long run, an unintegrated ATNR may also lead to spinal deformities.an un integrated ATNR reflex can lead to poor eye tracking also.

The children with un integrated STNR reflex shows poor posture,eye hand cordination,abd focusing difficulties.they have difficulty im swimming,sitting at desk and ball holding games .

Mororeflex after 6 months of age may show cerebral palsy.

Galant reflex persistence shows child will have problem with sitting still,posture ,cordination and attention.hod

Tests head

ATNR-rotation of head while wrtheb ms are extended.negative test when chSTNild is able to move his or her head without moving any or both arms.flexing the head

Moro reflex-hold the babys head and shoulders off the mat with arms held in flexion on the chest.then suddenly let the head and shoulder fell back few inches while releasing the arms.

STNR reflex can be tested by keeping the baby in quadrupped position on floor and p stroking along the one side oassively flexing the head forward and extending the head backward thereafter.the expected outcome is head flexion producing flexion of upper extremities and extension of lower extremities.while the extension of head will produce the extension of upper extremities and flexion of lower extremities.

Galant reflex is tested by holding the child in ventral suspension and stroking along the one side of spine.the normal reflex is lateral flexion to the stimulated side.

Activities to integrate reflexes

Atnr by playing on all fours and crawling on the floor by looking surrounding stimuli and activities that require the support of arms from babies to hold their weight while working.

The same activity can be repeated for stnr also

For moro reflex its popcorn or therapy ball exercise