<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nSometimes, due to trauma at birth, lack of “tummy time,” or skipped crawling stages, these reflexes do not disappear. They remain active in the body. This is called a Retained Reflex<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen a reflex is retained, the child\u2019s brain has to work overtime just to keep their body under control. It is like trying to drive a car while the emergency brake is still on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>The 3 Most Common Culprits<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n1. The Moro Reflex (The Startle Reflex)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- What it is:<\/strong> The baby throws arms back when startled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If Retained:<\/strong> The child is in a constant state of “Fight or Flight.” They are hypersensitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Signs:<\/strong>\n
\n- Hates loud noises or tags on clothes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Anxiety and mood swings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Motion sickness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Difficulty paying attention because they are scanning for “danger.”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. The ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- What it is:<\/strong> The “Fencer Pose.” When a baby turns their head to the side, the arm on that side extends, and the opposite arm bends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If Retained:<\/strong> The hand is tied to the head movement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Signs:<\/strong>\n
\n- Poor Handwriting:<\/strong> Every time they turn their head to look at the paper, their arm wants to extend involuntarily. They have to grip the pencil tightly to fight this.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trouble catching a ball.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Difficulty riding a bike (turning the head makes the handlebars turn).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. The STNR (Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- What it is:<\/strong> Helps the baby get up on hands and knees. Head up = arms straight, legs bent. Head down = arms bent, legs straight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If Retained:<\/strong> The upper and lower body are stuck in a seesaw motion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Signs:<\/strong>\n
\n- “The Sloucher”:<\/strong> They lie on the desk while writing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- “W-Sitting”:<\/strong> They sit on the floor with legs in a W shape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Messy eating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Why Does This Affect School?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nImagine a child with a retained ATNR trying to copy notes from the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- They look up at the board (Head moves).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Their arm involuntarily wants to move.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They look down at the paper (Head moves).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Their arm wants to move again.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Their brain is using 90% of its energy just to control their arm, leaving only 10% for learning math or spelling. They aren’t lazy; they are neurologically exhausted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>The Solution: Integration<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe good news is that the brain is plastic. You can “retrain” the brain to integrate these reflexes through specific, repetitive movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- For Moro:<\/strong> “Starfish” exercises (curling up tight and opening wide).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For ATNR:<\/strong> Lizard crawls or marching while turning the head side to side.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
At Little Land, our therapists are trained to screen for these reflexes. If we suspect a retained reflex is holding your child back, we can design a play-based plan to help integrate it. Often, once the reflex is integrated, parents see a “miraculous” improvement in reading, writing, and emotional regulation.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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