The following information on primary reflexes is based on Dr. Svetlana Masgutova’s extensive research and experience working with children and babies over the past 30 years.
This week I am going to highlight babkin palmomental, hands grasp, and ATNR.
The picture of the very cute baby provided with each reflex is also my baby😊
Babkin Palmomental
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Stimulation: Press center of palm (one or both hands)
Response: Both hands- infant will open mouth and bring head forward, single hand- baby will turn head with mouth open towards hand
Improper Response: Infant does not open mouth or bring head forward or responds only on one side
Function: Active for first 3 months to prepare the infant for posture of nursing/bottle feeding.
Improper Development Negative Effects: Difficulties with feeding in infancy and beyond, sustained mouthing (hands/objects to mouth) beyond developmental expected period, clenching or grinding, excessive biting, and speech/articulation delays
Hands Grasp
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Stimulation: Place finger or object in hand
Response: Infant will tightly hold onto finger or object
Improper Response: Infant not able to sustain hold or hands remain closed with thumb inside palm most of the time
Function: Active for the first 4 months to develop hand muscles
Improper Development Negative Effects: Contributes to fine motor delays, handwriting difficulties (dysgraphia), strength and endurance challenges, and speech/articulation delays
ATNR
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Stimulation: Infant turns head
Response: Arms and legs on same side as head turned will straighten and opposite side bend “fencing posture.”
Improper Response: Infant resists/avoids turning head to one side or arms/legs don’t change position
Function: Active for first 6 months to develop visual, auditory (hearing), and motor systems on each side of body
Improper Development Negative Effects: postural distortions (torticollis, scoliosis), cranial distortions (plagiocephaly, brachiocephaly), undeveloped two-sided (bilateral) coordination, learning challenges (dyslexia, dyscalculia), and auditory processing difficulties
The following instructions are simplified versions of primary reflex testing and variations of improper responses can vary. These demonstrations are also for testing only not for intervention.
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Jennifer Perigord is a pediatric occupational therapist that specializes in infant development. She has 17 years of pediatric experience and has specialized training with premature and medically fragile infants in neonatal intensive care. Her passion is in primary reflex development in the first year of life. She has learned through both her professional and personal experience raising her own children that early intervention starts at birth!
Jennifer is available for consultations and private assessments.
Email her at jwperigord26@gmail.com for more information or to ask a specific question.
Follow her page on Facebook for more tips and information!
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