When we are in utero and are infants, we go through stages of development that help us grow both
physically as well as mentally. During these stages we naturally do certain physical movements that help us through each stage. We repeatedly do these movements, building muscle and opening pathways
to our higher thinking brain, until we no longer need them. These stages are defined by the automatic reflexes that our bodies exhibit, that become inhibited once they are integrated.
A good example is the stage that includes the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR). At this stage, from in
utero to about 4 months, when placed on his tummy, a child will pick his head up, even though his head is about the same length and weight as the rest of his body. Where does he get the strength? He
doesn’t have it – it is a reflex that he cannot control. Meanwhile, while he continues to pick his head up, he gains control, builds muscle, and develops neurodevelopmentally. Some of the symptoms of
a retained TLR are poor posture, inability to cross eyes, and poor sense of time.
There are six primitive reflexes that I work with, although this is just a subset of all. More information
on this subject can be found in the book Reflexes, Learning, and Behavior by Sally Goddard. The primitive reflexes that I work with cover the six
groupings of symptoms found below. The names, in order by group, are Moro Reflex, TLR, Spinal Galant, Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) and Palmar
Reflex.
It takes just minutes a day to integrate these primitive reflexes at any age, beyond the early childhood
stage. The exercises need to be done daily, or at least 5 times a week for about a month in order to see a change. I have seen children suddenly understand math, finally being able to memorize and
remember, and for the first time being able to write a paragraph on their own. One 10 year old boy, who had embarrassing bedwetting issues, had his first dry week after working on integrating the
Spinal Galant.
These reflexes set up the body and mind to be able to handle and work through the next phases in the
Pyramid of Potential: the sensory-motor system, the cognitive development, and finally academics. If you are finding that issues are “stuck” then start here!!
Primitive Reflexes Quiz:
Mark which of the following symptoms are present, then score below:
Group #1 – Starfish – For the Extra Sensitive Person, Physically and
Emotionally
Moro Reflex
Car sickness or poor balance and coordination
Poor stamina
Doesn’t maintain eye contact
Sensitive to light
Sensitive to sound
Allergies
Adverse reaction to drugs
Hypoglycemia
Dislike of change
Anxiety or nervousness
Mood swings
Poor math sense
Group #2 – Astronaut – For the Disorganized and Usually Late
Person
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)
Poor posture
Weak muscles
Poor balance
Unable to cross eyes easily, or
it hurts when crossing
Spatial problems – bumps into
furniture, stands too close
Poor sequencing – telling
stories, counting, organizing
Poor sense of time, unable to
tell time
Group #3 – Snow Angel For ADD, Memory, and
Bedwetting
Spinal Galant Reflex
Fidgeting
Bedwetting
Poor concentration or
attention
Poor memory
Poor
organization
Very sensitive to several senses
(visual, hearing, touch, smell, taste)
Auditory processing
difficulties
Difficulty
reading
Group #4 – Lizard – For Writing and Dyslexia
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
Unable to cross eyes easily, or
hurts when crossing
Eyes jump over words or parts of
words, or lines or repeats lines when reading
Poor balance
Right-left
confusion
Mixes up “d”s and “b”s or other
letters and numbers
Difficulty skipping or
marching
Poor
handwriting
Poor expression of ideas on
paper
Group #5 – Tiger – For Better Coordination and Vision, Especially
Jumpy Eyes
Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)
Poor posture
Ape-like walk
Poor eye-hand
coordination
Messy eater
Unable to cross eyes easily, or
hurts when crossing
Eyes jump over words or parts of
words, or lines or repeats lines when reading
Slow with copying
tasks
Poor attention
skills
Group #6 – Fingers – For better handwriting and
articulation
Palmar Reflex
Poor
handwriting
Poor manual
dexterity
Lack of pincer
grip
Speech and articulation
issues
Palm may be hypersensitive to
touch
Makes mouth movements when
writing or drawing
Scoring
Number of Symptoms:
|
Group and Reflex
|
|
Group 1 – Moro Reflex
|
|
Group 2 – Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)
|
|
Group 3 – Spinal Galant
|
|
Group 4 – Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
|
|
Group 5 – Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)
|
|
Group 6 – Palmar Reflex
|
In reviewing the above list, if you saw a cluster of 3 or more symptoms in the same
group, then there is reason to believe that some stages of neurodevelopment did not happen to a great enough degree. Purchase Maintaining Brains
Everyday DVD for a 15 minute exercise video and complete it every day for 30 to 90 days. If you miss a day, add 2 to the end. If you miss a week start over. Changes should be noticed within 2 to
3 weeks. If you have not seen any changes in the above symptoms within 30 days, you may have to look deeper. Although this works for about 80 percent of the people, it is not the silver bullet
(nothing is!). Look into Mind and Body Health - nutrition, exercise, anxiety, depression, disease.
Enjoy the exercises! Although I am in my 60s, I still do them!