Lecture on Primitive Reflexes and Activities to Test Integration

Overview

This lecture covers six primitive reflexes and provides activities to test whether these reflexes are integrated in children. The focus is on practical, easy-to-do activities that parents or caregivers can perform with their children.

Reflexes and Testing Activities

1. Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

• Activity: Have the child crawl on hands and knees while turning their head from side to side.
• Observation: Watch for the left elbow collapsing or other associated movements in the trunk or legs when the head turns to the right.
• Integrated Reflex: Smooth crawling without major associated movements.

2. Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

• Activity: Perform the cat-cow yoga exercise, lifting the head up to the sky and looking down between the knees.
• Observation: Weight shifting back when looking up, or forward/collapsing elbows when looking down.
• Integrated Reflex: Fluid motion without noticeable weight shifts or collapsing.

3. Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)

• Activity: Lay the child upside down over a therapy ball or the back of a couch.
• Observation: Struggling, startling, or refusal to lay upside down indicates an unintegrated reflex.
• Integrated Reflex: Comfort and ease in laying back over the ball.

4. Spinal Gallant Reflex

• Activity: Perform sit-walks, lifting and sliding one buttock cheek at a time while seated in a long sit position.
• Observation: Compensations like trunk rotation, poor posture, or difficulty maintaining the position indicate an unintegrated reflex.
• Integrated Reflex: Smooth and easy motion during sit-walks.

5. Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

• Activity: Superman exercise, where the child lays on their stomach and lifts arms and legs straight off the ground.
• Observation: Struggling to hold the position or lift limbs symmetrically indicates an unintegrated reflex.
• Integrated Reflex: Holding the position easily for 30-45 seconds.

6. Palmar Grasp Reflex

• Activity: Perform finger movements and observe the ease and fluidity of the motions.
• Observation: Associated body or mouth movements, or confusion during finger movements, indicate an unintegrated reflex.
• Integrated Reflex: Fluid and easy finger movements.

Additional Resources

• The lecture mentions a Primitive Reflex Digital Course for more detailed testing protocols and integration activities.
• Social Media: Follow and tag @harkla_family or @allthingssensorypodcast for feedback and questions.
• Contact: Reach out via email or social media for further inquiries.

Conclusion

These activities are designed to help identify retained primitive reflexes in children and provide a foundation for further integration work. The Primitive Reflex Digital Course is recommended for those seeking more in-depth guidance.