Commonly Retained Primitive Reflexes
Fear Paralysis
The Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR) is the earliest primitive reflex, emerging in the fifth week of pregnancy. It is an automatic protective response that causes the body to freeze and withdraw when faced with a threat.
Ideally, the Fear Paralysis Reflex integrates before birth and is replaced by more mature neurological responses.
Possible Challenges:
- Anxiety and excessive fearfulness
- Low self-confidence and fear of failure
- Avoidance of new situations or challenges
- Emotional shutdown during stress
- Difficulty making decisions
- Sensitivity to criticism and conflict
Moro
The Moro Reflex, commonly known as the startle reflex, emerges early in the first trimester and remains present at birth.
It is triggered by sudden sensory input, such as loud noises, bright lights or abrupt movements.
This reflex is an important survival mechanism that activates the body's fight or flight response. Once integrated, a person can respond to unexpected events in a calm and regulated way.
Possible Challenges:
- Heightened anxiety and poor stress tolerance
- Strong startle response and sensory sensitivity
- Difficulty concentrating and maintaining attention
- Emotional dysregulation and mood fluctuations
- Sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue
Tendon Guard
The Tendon Guard Reflex is a protective reflex that helps the body respond to perceived danger. Its purpose is to protect muscles, tendons, and joints when the nervous system senses a threat.
When the Tendon Guard Reflex remains chronically active, the body may continue to operate in a protective state even when no real danger exists.
Possible Challenges:
- Chronic muscle tension and stiffness, bracing the body unconsciously
- Poor posture and restricted movement
- Feeling physically and emotionally "stuck"
- Reduced flexibility and coordination
- Fatigue from constant muscle activation
TLR
The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is closely linked to the vestibular system, influencing posture, muscle tone, balance, and body awareness in response to the position of the head.
The TLR helps babies develop head control, body stability, and the postural foundations needed for rolling, crawling, standing, and walking.
Possible Challenges:
- Poor balance and coordination
- Slouched posture or abnormal muscle tone
- Motion sickness or fear of movement
- Poor spatial awareness
- Difficulty with sports and physical activities
- Challenges with attention and visual perception
ATNR
The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is one of the most researched reflexes. When an infant turns their head to one side, the arm and leg on that side extend while the opposite limbs bend.
The ATNR helps develop hand-eye coordination, visual tracking, muscle tone, and awareness of the left and right sides of the body. It also supports reaching, grasping, and early movement patterns.
Possible Challenges:
- Difficulty crossing the body's midline
- Poor handwriting and fine motor skills
- Reading and visual tracking difficulties
- Poor balance and bilateral coordination
- Letter or number reversals
- Difficulty with left-right orientation
STNR
The Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) is a transitional reflex that helps babies move from lying on the floor to crawling by separating upper and lower body movements.
When the head bends forward, the arms bend and the legs straighten. When the head lifts, the arms straighten and the legs bend. This pattern helps develop posture, balance, visual skills, and coordination before crawling begins.
Possible Challenges:
- Poor posture and weak core stability
- Difficulty sitting still for long periods
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Messy handwriting and slow written work
- Balance and coordination difficulties
- Challenges with reading and visual tracking
Landau Reflex
The Landau Reflex strengthens the neck, back, and core muscles, supporting posture, balance, and gross motor development.
The Landau Reflex prepares babies for sitting, crawling, standing, and walking.
Possible Challenges:
- Poor posture and slouching
- Weak core and back muscles
- Balance and coordination difficulties
- Reduced physical endurance
- Delayed gross motor skills
- Poor body awareness
Spinal Galant
The Spinal Galant Reflex assists babies during the birth process and contributes to the early development of hip movement, balance, and coordination.
As the nervous system matures, the Spinal Galant Reflex should become integrated, allowing for more controlled movement and improved postural stability.
Possible Challenges:
- Difficulty sitting still, frequent fidgeting and impulsivity
- Poor concentration and attention
- Sensitivity around the waistline or lower back
- Poor posture and lower back discomfort
- Hyperactivity and impulsive behaviours
- Bedwetting beyond the typical developmental age
Babkin
The Babkin Reflex helps coordinate movements between the hands and mouth, supporting feeding, oral motor development, and the early foundations for communication.
Integration of the Babkin is important for establishing mature relationship attachment.
Possible Challenges:
- Poor fine motor skills and handwriting
- Speech and articulation difficulties
- Jaw tension or teeth grinding
- Thumb sucking or nail biting
- Poor hand-mouth coordination
- Difficulty with self-feeding and manual dexterity