WHAT ARE POSTURAL RESPONSES ?
ASSYMETIRCAL TONIC NECK REFLEX
MORO reflex occurs as early as 9 weeks after conception is present at birth and should integrate by 6 months of age and be replaced by the adult startle response.
Moro Reflex
If, the MORO is retained a child may have some of the following:
- motion sickness
- poor balance and coordination
- difficulty in concentrating
- sensitivity to sounds
- allergies, frequent bronchial disorders, asthma, weakened immunity
- low endurance, rapid onset of fatigue, frequent fatigue
- child resists changes or surprises – it reacts negatively and avoid them
- frequent mood swings – labile emotions
- low self-confidence
- need to have everything under control, stay current on the situation
- are still “on guard”, has a difficult time to relax
- physical restlessness
- react rather than think – often have exaggerated inadequate response
- inability to disregard unimportant visual stimuli within the visual field
- emotional and social immaturity
- anxiety
This is reflected by the child’s head being dropped below the level of the spine, the child reflexively “collapses” into a ball (the position of flexion). Conversely when the baby’s head is lifted above the level of the spine, hands and feet extend.
Suppression of this reflex is a gradual process involving the maturation of other systems. This process should be fully completed no later than 3.5. years of age.
Tonic labyrinthine reflex
If this reflex is retained it may affect the following:
- stooped posture
- impaired balance
- motion sickness
- visual-motor functions are impaired – influenced the reading and writing
- difficulties with visual-motor discrimination
- difficulties with spatial orientation
- difficult to perceive time
- difficult to estimate distance, depth and speed
- fatigue after prolonged standing
- increased muscle tension (moves very stiffly, is immobile, inflexible)
ASSYMETIRCAL TONIC NECK REFLEX
Assymetrical tonic neck reflex
- If this reflex is retained a child may have difficulty with:
- Interfere with rolling over, commando crawling
- Control of upright balance when the head is turned (child running and turns his head and loses balance)
- Ability to crossing midline and bilateral integration
- Eye tracking along the horizontal plane
- Interfere with writing esp. when taking notes (paying attention and writing at the same time)
If this reflex is retained a child may have difficulty with :
- Difficulty with UB and LB integration
- Difficulty with attention
- Difficulty with swimming
- Hand eye coordination
- Visual accommodation
- Vertical eye tracking movements
If this reflex is retained a child may experience the following:
- Difficulty sitting still
- Difficulty with concentration and attention
- Contribute to bed wetting (with pulgar marx reflex)
- Can contribute to scoliosis
