The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck reflex (ATNR) surfaces at 18 weeks in utero, presents at birth and should disappear at age 6 months. ATNR occurs when the head turn to face one side. If the head turn to the left, the left arm and left leg will extends as the right side will remain bend. In utero this automatic movement helps the development of muscle tone and vestibular system, which will help with the birthing process.  It also provide hand eye coordination training, but by age 6 months this reflex should be replace by much more complex movement.

What if Asymmetrical Tonic Neck reflex still retains?

Poor fine motor control

Poor reading, listening, spelling and handwriting skills – trigger of dyslexia

Poor hand eye coordination

Difficulty telling left from right

The Symmetrical Tonic Neck reflex (STNR) is a normal response for a baby age 8 to 11 months. It helps with the ability to lift and control the head for looking at a distance and also for crawling.  The crawl position is the extension of the arms and bending of the knees when the neck and the head are extended.

What if Symmetrical Tonic Neck reflex still retains?

Skipping the crawling stage would retain STNR. The automatic linking of head movements to arm and leg movements cause difficulties such as:

Poor sitting posture – floppy or low muscle tone, fidgety

Poor hand eye coordination

Poor concentration – trigger of AHDH

Poor integration of upper and lower body movement like swimming

The Tonic Labyrinthine reflex (TLR) surfaces at 12 weeks in utero and should disappear at age 3 and half years. This reflex is related to muscle tone. When the neck is tilted backward the arms and legs should straighten out and when the neck is bend forward the arms and legs should also bend to form a fetal position.

What if Tonic Labyrinthine reflex still retains?

Poor reading skills – skipping words or skipping lines

Mixed up of numbers or letters (b, d, p, q and 6 ,9 )

Sequencing is a difficult task – memorizing instructions, memorizing dates, math, and spelling

Poor sitting posture – floppy or low muscle tone, notice the W shaped position when sitting on the floor

Orientation and spatial difficulties – concept of time, following directions or giving directions and poor math skills

Visual difficulties