Primary Reflexes & Their Connection to SPD, Autism, ADHD, and Developmental Delays

Primary (primitive) reflexes are automatic movements that develop in the womb and during infancy to help with survival and neurological development. If these reflexes don’t integrate properly, they can interfere with sensory processing, emotional regulation, attention, and motor skills. Here’s how some key reflexes relate to SPD, autism, ADHD, and developmental delays:

1. Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)

• What it does: Causes a baby to throw out their arms and legs in response to sudden stimuli (sound, movement, light).

• If unintegrated, it may lead to:

  • Sensory overload: Hypersensitivity to sound, light, touch, or movement.

  • Anxiety & fight-or-flight response: Constant feeling of stress or being on edge.

  • Emotional regulation issues: Easily overwhelmed, frequent meltdowns.

• Signs in older children/adults:

  • Startles easily, jumpy

  • Trouble filtering out background noise (e.g., in classrooms)

  • Motion sickness

2. Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) – Balance & Posture

• What it does: Helps babies learn head control and balance.

• If unintegrated, it may lead to:

  • Poor posture & coordination issues (clumsiness, difficulty with sports).

  • Vestibular dysfunction (trouble with movement, car sickness, feeling ungrounded).

  • Difficulty with spatial awareness (bumping into things, trouble judging distances).

• Signs in older children/adults:

  • Slouching, weak muscle tone

  • Difficulty sitting still without slumping

  • Trouble riding a bike or swimming

3. Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) – Hand-Eye Coordination

• What it does: Helps babies develop hand-eye coordination.

• If unintegrated, it may lead to:

  • Difficulty with handwriting (poor fine motor skills).

  • Challenges with crossing the midline (trouble writing, reading, or catching a ball).

  • Struggles with focus & attention (seen in ADHD).

• Signs in older children/adults:

  • Poor handwriting, trouble tying shoes

  • Difficulty tracking words when reading

  • Poor coordination (e.g., difficulty riding a bike)

    

4. Spinal Galant Reflex – Sensory Sensitivities

• What it does: Helps with movement and bladder control.

• If unintegrated, it may lead to:

  • Hypersensitivity to touch (hates tags in clothing, ticklish).

  • Bedwetting issues beyond the typical age.

  • Fidgeting & difficulty sitting still (restless, seen in ADHD).

• Signs in older children/adults:

  • Overreaction to touch (especially on the back or waist)

  • Trouble sitting still in chairs or on the floor

  • Bedwetting past age 5-6

5. Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) – Posture & Attention

• What it does: Helps babies transition from crawling to walking.

• If unintegrated, it may lead to:

  • Poor sitting posture (slouching at desks).

  • Difficulty focusing in school (because of poor body control).

  • Trouble with reading & writing (head movements interfere with focusing on a page).

• Signs in older children/adults:

  • Sitting awkwardly (wrapping legs around chair legs)

  • Difficulty copying from the board in class

  • Poor eye tracking when reading

How MNRI Can Help

Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) works by using gentle exercises and movements to stimulate the nervous system and encourage reflex integration. If you would like to have your (or your child’s) reflexes screened please reachout! 

Please note that this is more in depth work on primary reflexes than you (or your child) may be receiving at any other therapies (PT, OT, speech, etc.). While specific reflexes may be linked to certain diagnoses, a reflex screening alone does not provide a formal diagnosis.