Chapter 4 - Motor Milestones and Reflexes

Question 1

Babinski reflex

Answer 1

• Primitive
• When sole of baby’s foot is stroked from heel to
  toes, toes will extend.

Question 2

Plantar reflex

Answer 2

• Primitive
• When you stroke the ball of a baby’s foot, the toes
  will flex.

Question 3

Palmar grasp reflex

Answer 3

• Primitive
• Baby’s hand closes tightly around the object when
  palm is touched.

Question 4

Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR)

Answer 4

• Primitive
• When baby is supine, turn head to one side and
  the arm and leg on that same side will extend.
• “Fencer’s position”

Question 5

Symmetrical tonic neck reflex

Answer 5

• Primitive
• When sitting supported:
  - When head/neck extend, arms extend and
  legs flex.
  - When head/neck flex, arms flex and legs
  extend.

Question 6

Doll-eye reflex

Answer 6

• Primitive
• When baby’s head is flexed, eyes look up.
• Should go away after first 2 weeks.

Question 7

Moro reflex

Answer 7

• Primitive
• When holding baby supine, rapidly lower baby
  toward ground. Arms and legs will extend upward.

Question 8

Sucking reflex

Answer 8

• Primitive
• When face is touched above or below the lips, baby will make a sucking motion.

Question 9

Rooting reflex

Answer 9

• Primitive
• When baby’s cheek is touched, head will turn to that side.

Question 10

Palmar-mandibular reflex
(Babkin reflex)

Answer 10

• Primitive
• When pressure is applied to both palms, baby’s
  mouth opens, eyes close, and head flexes.

Question 11

Startle reflex

Answer 11

• Primitive
• When in supine, if baby is startled, arms and legs
  will flex.

Question 12

Labyrinthine righting reflex

Answer 12

• Postural
• When holding baby upright, tilt baby sideways and head will move to stay upright.

Question 13

Derotative righting reflex

Answer 13

• Postural
  (In supine)
• When baby’s legs and pelvis are turned to one
  side, trunk and head will follow rotation.
• When baby’s head is turned sideways, body will
  follow head in rotation.

Question 14

Parachute reflex

Answer 14

• Postural
• When holding baby upright, tip baby forward and
  lower rapidly toward the ground. Arms should
  extend.

Question 15

Step reflex

Answer 15

• Locomotor
• When holding baby upright over a flat surface, legs
  will start a walking motion.

Question 16

Crawling reflex

Answer 16

• Locomotor
• When in prone, if you apply pressure to the sole of
  baby’s foot, arms and leg swill move in crawling
  pattern.

Question 17

Swimming reflex

Answer 17

• Locomotor
• When holding baby prone in or over water, arms
  and legs will make a swimming movement.

Question 18

Withdrawal reflex

Answer 18

• Primitive
• When there is a sharp or painful stimulus to foot
  while upright, that knee will flex and other knee
  will extend.