Reflexes are involuntary reactions that are a normal part of human development. As an individual ages, a reflex will become integrated and give way to higher level reactions. Reactions are more mature responses to stimuli that are not entirely involuntary. Below are commonly tested reflexes and reactions:
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
Stimulus:
Turning head 90 degrees to one side
Positive Response:
Extended upper and lower limb on side of head turn, flexed upper and lower limb on opposite side
Normative Data:
(+) = birth - 6mos.
(-) = older than 6mos.
Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
Stimulus:
1. Extend Head
2. Flex Head
Positive Response:
1. Flex upper limbs, extend lower limbs
2. Extend upper limbs, flex lower limbs
Normative Data:
(+) = 6 – 11 mos.
(-) = older than 11 mos.
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
Stimulus:
1. Gravity in prone
2. Gravity in supine
Positive Response:
1. Increase in flexion tone or flexion of extremities
2. Increase in extension tone or extension of extremities
Normative Data:
1. (+) = birth – 3 or 4 mos.
(-) = older than 3 or 4 mos.
2. (+) = 3 or 4 mos. - 3 ½ y.o.
(-) = older than 3 ½ y.o.
Grasp Reflex
Stimulus:
Tactile stimulation on ulnar side of hand
Positive Response:
Grasping action
Normative Data:
(+) = birth to 2 or 3 mos.
(-) = older than 3 mos.
Associated Reactions
Stimulus:
Unilateral task (e.g. catching a ball w/ one hand)
Positive Response:
Involuntary movement of one part of body when doing task with another
Righting Reactions
Stimulus:
Changing position in space (e.g. rolling or sitting up from supine)
Positive Response:
Restore head and neck position to equilibrium in space – used for rolling or sitting up from lying down
Normative Data:
(+) = older than 12 mos.
(-) = birth to 10 or 12 mos.
Equilibrium Reactions
Stimulus:
Offset from equilibrium
Positive Response:
Maintain and/or regain body alignment in regards to gravity
Normative Data:
(+) = older than 6 mos. (will develop in stages from 6 –18 mos.)
(-) = birth – 6 mos.
Protective Extension
Stimulus:
Offset from equilibrium too extreme to right with equilibrium reactions
Positive Response:
Extension of hands and arms to protect head forward, sideways, and backwards
Normative Data:
Forward:
(+) = older than 5 or 6 mos.
(-) = birth to 5 or 6 mos.
Sideways:
(+) = older than 7 or 8 mos.
(-) = birth to 7 or 8 mos.
Backwards:
(+) = older than 9 or 10 mos.
(-) = birth to 9 or 10 mos.
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