Reflexes that Persist Throughout Life

Question 1

STIM: hold infant suspended vertically and tilt slowly (~45 degr) to side, forward, or backward

RESP: upright positioning of head

FUNCT. SIGNIF.: basis for head mgmt and postural stability; orients head in space vertically

ONSET AGE: birth - 2 mos.

Answer 1

Labyrinthine/optical (head) righting

Question 2

STIM: rapidly lower infant toward suupporting surgace while suspended vertically

RESP: extension of lower extremities

FUNCT. SIGNIF.: preps lower extremities for surface contact (e.g., standing); breaks a fall

ONSET AGE: 4 mos.

Answer 2

Downward parachute (protective extension downwards)

Question 3

STIM: suddenly tip infant fwd toward supporting surface while vertically suspended

RESP: sudden extension of UE, hand opening, and neck ext

FUNCT. SIGNIF.: places UE in anticipation of surface contact to break a fall; supports prop sitting

ONSET AGE: 6-9 mos.

Answer 3

Forward parachute (protective extension forward)

Question 4

STIM: quickly but firmly tip infant off-balance to the side while in the sitting position

RESP: arm extension and ABDuct to the side

FUNCT. SIGNIF.: unilatera;;y supports bod for use of opposite arm; prevents falls

ONSET AGE: 7 mos.

Answer 4

Sideward parachute (protective extension sideward)

Question 5

STIM: quickly but firmly tip infant off-balance, backwards

RESP: backward arm extension or arm extension to one side spinal rotation

FUNCT. SIGNIF.: protects from backwards falls

ONSET AGE: 9-10 mosBackward parachute (protective extension backward)

Answer 5

Backward parachute (protective extension backward)

Question 6

STIM: after positioning infant in prone, slowly raise one side of supporting surface

RESP: curving of the spine toward the raised side (opposite to the pull of gravity); ABDuct/extension of arms and legs

FUNCT. SIGNIF.: facilit8s postural adjustments to maintian center of gravity

ONSET AGE: 5 mos.

Answer 6

Prone tilting

Question 7

STIM: after positioning infant in supine or sitting, slowly raise one side of the supporting surface

RESP: curving of spine toward raised side (opposite to the pull of gravity); ABDuct/extension of arms and legs

FUNCT. SIGNIF.: facilitates postural adjustment to maintain COG; promote sitting balance

ONSET AGE: 7-8 mos.

Answer 7

Supine tilting and Sitting tilting

Question 8

STIM: aftr positioning infant on all fours, slowly raise one side of he supporting surface

RESP: curving of spine toward raised side (opposite to the pull of gravity); ABDuct/extension of arms and legs

FUNCT. SIGNIF.: facilitates postural adjustments to maintain COG and preserve positioning in quadruped

ONSET AGE: 9-12 mos.

Answer 8

Quadruped tilting

Question 9

STIM: after positioning infan in standing, slowly raise one side of the supporting surace

RESP: curving of spine toward raised side (opposite to the pull of gravity); ABDuct/extension of arms and legs

FUNCT. SIGNIF.: facilitates porstural adjustments to maintain CO and balance during standing and walking

ONSET AGE: 12-21 mos.

Answer 9

Standing tilting