Primitive reflexes are automatic, repetitive, involuntary movement patterns that develop in utero and are integrated within the first year of a baby’s life. They provide a baby’s first sensory-motor experience and are the beginning of a baby’s brain development.
From the primitive reflexes, babies learn voluntary movement patterns, postural control, head control, eye control, and the ability to understand and integrate sensory information. The visual and motor systems develop at the same time, and feedback on one another throughout development.
If the learning and development from primitive reflexes is interrupted, it can lead to a multitude of movement, sensory (including visual), and behavioural dysfunctions. Interruptions can be due to stress on the mother or baby during pregnancy or delivery, a lack of movement in utero or as an infant, illness or recurrent ear infections as an infant, injury, trauma, and any other conditions that impact child development.
The 5 primitive reflexes that have the most impact on vision development are the Moro Reflex, Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex, Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex, and Spinal Galant Reflex. Additionally, we test for the Palmar Reflex as it can have an impact on writing, a visually directed fine motor skill.
In vision therapy, we create conditions to provide the necessary meaningful experiences to develop visual skills and promote exploration and learning. In addition to improving the grace and efficiency of the visual and motor systems, we often see improvements in sensory integration, attention and behaviour.
The following are some of the common symptoms seen when incomplete learning has occurred with each of the primitive reflexes:
Moro Reflex
- Hyper-sensitivity
- Hyper-reactivity
- Irrational fears
- Extreme fear of failure, perfectionism
- Dislike of change
- Insecure, low self-esteem
- Low tolerance for stress
- Poor impulse control
- Extreme shyness, fear in groups
- Fear of separation from loved ones
- Craves attention
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)
- Floppy and jerky movements – dislike of sports
- Won’t try or gives up
- Poor sequencing and organization
- Poor posture – tires quickly
- Poor balance
- Spatial awareness problems
- Poor ball skills
- Difficulties with swimming
- Low energy
- Motion sickness
- Toe walking
Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)
- Difficulties copying from blackboard
- Poor eye-hand coordination
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fidgeting
- Slumped posture
- Difficulties with swimming
- W-sitting
- Poor balance
- Spatial awareness problems
- Poor ball skills
- Sequencing difficulties
- Poor understanding of stop/start
Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
- Poor eye-hand coordination
- Letter reversals
- Poor left/right integration
- Poor balance
- Poor posture
- Sequencing difficulties
- Poor handwriting
- Poor visual tracking
- Spatial awareness problems
- Poor sensory integration
Spinal Galant Reflex
- Squirmy or fidgety
- Poor concentration
- ADHD
- Hyper-sensitivity
- Impulsive
- Bedwetting
- Poor short-term memory
Palmar Reflex
- Messy handwriting
- Abnormal pencil grip
- Difficulty with fine motor skills
- Poor manual dexterity
- Hand cramping with writing tasks