Reflex integration

The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is a primitive reflex seen in infants that helps in early development of hand-eye coordination and muscle tone. Here’s a detailed explanation 👇 ⸻ 🧠 Definition The ATNR is a reflex that appears around birth and typically integrates (disappears) by 6 months of age. It is sometimes called the “fencing reflex.” ⸻ 💪 How It Looks When the infant’s head turns to one side: • The arm and leg on the face side extend, • The arm and leg on the skull side flex. 👉 Example: If the baby’s head turns to the right, the right arm and leg straighten, and the left arm and leg bend — like a fencing position. ⸻ 🧩 Purpose • Helps in developing hand-eye coordination. • Encourages visual tracking across midline. • Assists the baby in rolling and reaching movements. • Supports early muscle tone development in the neck and shoulders. ⸻ ⚠️ If It Persists Beyond 6 Months Persistence of ATNR can indicate neurological immaturity or developmental delay. It may cause: • Poor hand-eye coordination • Difficulty crossing midline (e.g., reading or writing across a page) • Trouble with bilateral coordination • Poor posture or balance • Challenges in handwriting and academic tasks ⸻ 🧍‍♀️ Activities to Integrate ATNR (for older children) 1. Cross-crawl exercises 2. Ball passing across midline 3. Crawling on hands and knees 4. Drawing infinity (∞) loops with both hands 5. Head-turn and reach games – turn head to one side while reaching across the body