REFLEX DEVELOPMENT

REFLEX STIMULUS RESPONSES AGE OF CLINICAL

SUPPRESION SIGNIFICANCE

MORO Sudden Neck Sh. Abd. 4-6 months Persists in CNS

Extension Sh, elbow, et finger pathology static
ext. followed by arm encephalopathy
flex. et. add.

STARTLE Sudden noise, Sh. Abd. 4-6 months Persists in CNS

clapping Sh, elbow, et finger pathology static
ext. followed by arm encephalopathy
flex. et. add.

ROOTING Stroking lips or Moving mouth, head 4 months Diminished in CNS

around mouth toward stimulus in pathology, may
search of nipple persist in CNS
pathology

POSITIVE Light pressure or Legs extend for 3-5 months Obligatory or

SUPPORTING weight bearing on partial support of hyperactive
plantar surface body weight abnormal at any age,
early sign of LE
spasticity, may be
associated c
scissoring

ATNR Head turning to side Extremities extend 6-7 months Obligatory response
on face side, flex on abnormal at any age,
occiput side persists in static
encephalopathy

STRN Neck flexion, Arms flex, legs 6-7 months Obligatory response
extension extend abnormal at any age,
Arms extend, leg persists in static
flex encephalopathy

PALMAR GRASP Touch or pressure on Flexion of all 5-6 months Diminished in CNS
palm or stretching fingers, hand fisting suppression, absent
finger flexors in LMN paralysis,
persists or
hyperactive in
spasticity

PLANTAR GRASP Pressure on sole, Flexion of all toes 12-14 months when Diminished in CNS
distal to metatarsal walking is achieved suppression, absent
heads in LMN paralysis,
persists or
hyperactive in
spasticity
 REFLEX DEVELOPMENT

REFLEX STIMULUS RESPONSES AGE OF CLINICAL

SUPPRESION SIGNIFICANCE

AUTOMATIC On vertical support Alternating 3-4 months Variable activity in

NEONATAL plantar contact and automatic steps with normal infants,
WALKING passive tilting of support absent in LMN
body forward and paralysis
side to side

PLACEMENT OR Tactile contact on Extremity flexion to Before end of first Absent in LMN
PLACING dorsum of foot or place hand or foot year paralysis or with LE
hand over obstacle spasticity

NECK RIGHTING Neck rotation in Sequential body 4 months Nonsequential leg

OR BODY supine rotation from rolling suggests
DEROTATIONAL shoulder to pelvis increased tone
toward direction of
face

TONIC head position in Predominant 4-6 months hyperactive/obligator

LABYRINTHINE space, strongest 45 extensor tone y abnormal at any
from horizontal Predominant flexor age, persists in CNS
supine or prone tone damage/static
encephalopathy

POSTURAL REFLEX

HEAD RIGHTING Visual and vestibular Align face/ head Prone: 2 months Delays or absent in
vertical, mouth Supine: 3-4 months CNS immaturity or
horizontal damage

HEAD AND BODY Tacticem vestibular Align body parts in 4-6 months Delays or absent in
RIGHTING proprioceptive anatomic position CNS immaturity or
relative to each other damage
and gravity

PROTECTIVE Displacement of extension/abduction Sitting anterior: 5-7 Delays or absent in

EXTENSION OR COG outside of lateral extremity months CNS immaturity or
PARACHUTE supporting base in toward displacement lateral: 6-8 months damage
REACTIONS sitting, standing to prevent falling posterior: 7-8
months
standing: 12-14
months

EQUILIBRIUM Displacement of Adjustment of tone Sitting: 6-8 months Delays or absent in

OR TILTING COG and posture to trunk Standing: 12-14 CNS immaturity or
REACTIONS to maintain balance months damage