Primitive Reflexes: A Blog Series: Post 2

Lets continue the primitive reflexes blog series from last week!

To Review:

Primitive reflexes are present at or just after birth and are typically integrated throughout the first year of life; if not integrated the child will experience learning, sensory, and motor difficulties.

Onset: 32 weeks gestation
Integration age: 2 months
This reflex is elicited by a stroke on the baby’s back and they will move into trunk flexion (bent at the hips and knees) and facilitate balance
Significance: assists the infant in moving down the birthing canal and provides trunk balance/stability that is used for crawling
If not integrated:
- A child may have ADHD like tendencies
- Fidgeting while seated
- Difficulty focusing on tasks
- Difficulty with motor planning
- Sensitivity to tactile input

Onset: 37 weeks gestation
Integration age: 4-6 months
This reflex is elicited by applying pressure to the infant’s palm and in response they will squeeze your fingers
Significance: increases palmar tactile input and prepares muscles of the hand for voluntary grasp control
If not integrated:
- A child may experience poor fine motor coordination
- Difficulty grasping and releasing objects
- Difficulty holding a writing or feeding utensil

Onset: 37 weeks gestation
Integration age: 4-6 months; usually by 6 months
This reflex is elicited when an infant turns their head to one side of the body and in response the opposite arm will flex (bend) and the opposite leg will extend (straighten)
Significance: promotes hand-eye coordination, ability to bring hands to midline, and visual processing
If not integrated:
- The child may have poor reading skills
- Difficulty crossing midline
- Difficulty holding objects at midline
- Eye cannot cross
- Poor visual tracking and reading skills
- Poor handwriting skills

Two Types:
- Prone (on stomach)
- Supine (lying on back)
Onset: 37 weeks gestation
Integration age: 6 months
This reflex is elicited by an increased extensor tone when placed in supine (on back) and increased flexor tone when placed in a prone position (on stomach)
Significance: assists infant in changing positions from prone to supine and supine to prone; promotes head control/posture
If not integrated:
- Difficulty sitting up independently
- Difficulty rolling from side to side
- Difficulty lifting the head up when lying on stomach
- Poor posture
- Poor muscle tone