Infant Reflexes and Stereotypes Flashcards
reflexive movements occur when during development?
last 4 months of prenatal life
1st 4 months after birth
where do reflexes occur?
sub cortically, below the level of the higher brain centers
infant (primitive) reflexes last how long?
about a year
reflexes that endure past the 1st year are known as
lifespan reflexes
ex. knee-jerk, flexor-withdrawal refelex
primitive reflexes
asymmetric tonic neck reflex,
symmetric tonic neck reflex
moro reflex
function of primitive reflex
protection, nutrition (sucking, rooting), survival
primitive reflexes are eventually replaced by
postural reflexes
postural reflexes
provide automatic movement that is practice for future voluntary movement
i.e. walking reflex
do postural reflexes endure?
no, they disappear when voluntary behavior surfaces
why study reflexes?
to determine the level of neurological maturation
Moro reflex
may signify a cerebral birth injury if lacking or asymmetrical
elicited by the same stimuli the induces the startle reflex
precede the startle reflex and causes arms and legs to extend
disappears at 4-6 months
Asymmetric tonic neck reflex
may indicate cerebral palsy or other neurological problem
causes flexion on one side and extension on the other
not always seen, facilitates the development of body awareness
Milani Comparetti neuromoto development examination
measures several infant reflexes from birth to 24 months
Primitive Reflex profile
quantification of the level of presence or strength of primitive reflexes
rooting reflex
search reflex
palmar grasp
endures through the 4th month
hand closes around anything placed in hand
leads to voluntary reaching and grasping
search reflex
helps baby locate nourishment, turn head towards food,
startle reflex
elicited by a rapid change of head position or by striking the surface that supports the baby
arms and legs flex
Symmetric tonic neck reflex
limbs respond symmetrically
sitting forward: neck flexes, arms flex, legs extend
sitting backward: neck extends, arms extend, legs flex
plantar grasp
toes appear to be grasping
stimulus: touching ball of foot
must disappear before baby can stand/walk
Babinski Reflex
stimulus - along of bottom of foot, the toes should splay out (in an infant)
test of the pyramidal tract activity for later motor movement
Palmar mandibular reflex
makes the eyes close, the mouth open, the head tilt forward
aka Babkin reflex
stimulus: pressure in both palms
palmar mental reflex
elicits facial response when the base of the palm is scratched
lower jaw opens and closes
stepping reflex
postural reflex
indications they are neurologically prepared to learn to walk
crawling reflex
pressure on bottom of feet, with baby lying down
knees will pull forward as if in a crawling movement
swimming reflex
hold the infant in a swimming position, arms/legs will move as if they were dog paddling
head-and-body righting
head rights itself with the body when the body is turned to one side
pre-cursor to rolling movements
parachuting reflex
propping
relate to upright posture
conscious attempt to break a potential reflex
Labyrinthine reflex
related to upright posture
head tilt in the opposite direction of body tilt
Pull up reflex
baby is tipped backward, an arm/leg/neck flexes in an effort to maintain the upright position
stereotypies
receptive rhythmic movement that help infant learn about the environment and to build muscles
intrinsic, involuntary movements
