Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 6 minutes
You might not have considered this before, but primitive reflexes, those automatic reactions that newborns exhibit, play an important role in shaping your child’s visual and motor skills.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through understanding primitive reflexes, how they affect vision, and why early detection is important for your child’s development.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
Primitive reflexes are important for your baby’s early development, including their vision and motor skills. Though these reflexes are crucial in the initial stages, their persistence beyond typical developmental milestones can impact coordination and visual processing of your child.
What Are Primitive Reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are involuntary movements that occur in response to specific stimuli. These reflexes are present at birth and fade as your child’s nervous system matures.
You can think of them as the brain’s initial blueprint for movement, which supports your newborn baby’s basic survival instincts and lays the groundwork for later more advanced motor skills.
The Role of Primitive Reflexes in Early Development
- Foundation of movement: These reflexes facilitate the motor tasks that are important for your child’s physical growth, such as grasping, sucking, and coordinating movements.
- Neural pathway development: As your baby experiences these reflex actions, they help create the neural pathways necessary for voluntary motor activities and better hand-eye coordination as they grow.
Primitive Reflexes and Vision
You might be wondering, “How do these reflexes impact my child’s vision?” Primitive reflexes are closely linked to the development of hand-eye coordination, focus, and visual tracking.
If these reflexes remain beyond their usual developmental period, they may disrupt your child’s ability to synchronize their movements with their visual perceptions.
- Poor coordination: Retained reflexes can cause challenges with eye-tracking and coordination, impacting your child’s ability to focus on objects.
- Jerky movements: If your child experiences involuntary movements, it might affect their ability to engage in normal visual tasks, such as reading or playing.
- Developmental delays: Issues with reflexes may contribute to broader developmental issues, including poor handwriting and difficulty with motor skills.
Common Reflexes That Impact Vision
Here are some key primitive reflexes that play a significant role in your child’s vision:
- Moro reflex (startle reflex): This reflex is triggered by sudden changes in your baby’s environment, like a loud noise or a slight movement. If retained, it can cause difficulties in visual processing and lead to poor coordination.
- Tonic neck reflex: Often called the “fencing reflex,” it occurs when your baby’s head turns to one side, causing the arm on that side to extend while the opposite arm bends. This reflex is important for developing hand-eye coordination.
- Labyrinthine reflex: This reflex helps your baby develop a sense of balance and orientation. It plays a role in how your child responds to gravity, which is crucial for visual-spatial awareness.
Addressing Retained Primitive Reflexes
If you suspect that your child has retained primitive reflexes, it’s important to seek professional guidance. Here’s what you can do:
- Schedule a neurological examination: A thorough assessment from a healthcare professional can help identify any abnormal reflexes that might be impacting your child’s development.
- Engage in tummy time: This simple activity strengthens neck, back, and shoulder muscles while promoting the integration of reflexes.
- Consider vision therapy programs: If your child shows signs of coordination issues or visual problems, specialized visual therapies can greatly assist in overcoming these challenges.
The Importance of Early Detection
Early detection of retained primitive reflexes can significantly influence your child’s development trajectory. Timely intervention supports:
- Improved motor skills: Addressing reflex issues as they arise can prevent complications and help your child achieve typical developmental milestones.
- Better vision: Integrating reflexes means your child can develop the necessary visual skills vital for efficient learning and everyday activities.
Youth Vision: Your Family Optometrist in Denver, CO
These reflexes, though vital for early survival and development, should fade as your child matures. If you notice that these reflexes persist longer than expected or affect your child’s motor skills and vision, seeking early intervention can make a significant difference.
At Youth Vision, our team of experienced optometrists can provide comprehensive eye exams for your little ones.
If you are searching for a ‘kids eye exam near me’ or an eye doctor that accepts Medicaid, we can help! We have four locations to serve you better. Request an appointment online or call (303) 953-8801.
FAQs About Primitive Reflexes
What are the 8 primitive reflexes?
Moro reflex (startle reflex): Triggered by a sudden loss of support or a loud noise: The baby will fling their arms out and then quickly bring them back in, often accompanied by crying. This reflex helps the baby respond to potential threats.
Rooting reflex: When the baby’s cheek is stroked: The baby turns their head toward the touch and opens their mouth, searching for a nipple. This reflex is essential for feeding.
Suck reflex: When the roof of a baby’s mouth is touched: The baby begins to suck instinctively. This reflex supports the baby’s ability to feed from the breast or bottle.
Palmar grasp reflex: When an object is placed in the baby’s palm: The baby grasps it tightly. This reflex helps the baby to hold on to objects, though it fades as voluntary grasping develops.
Plantar grasp reflex: When the sole of the baby’s foot is touched the baby’s toes curl around the stimulus. This reflex helps with early walking development but typically disappears as the baby grows.
Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR): When the baby’s head is turned to one side, the arm on that side extends, while the opposite arm bends at the elbow. This reflex is believed to support hand-eye coordination and typically diminishes by 6 months of age.
Spinal galant reflex: When the skin along the side of the baby’s back is stroked: The baby will curve their body toward the side that was stroked. This reflex is believed to help with the development of the hip and trunk muscles.
Babinski reflex: When the sole of the foot is stroked, the big toe bends upward toward the top of the foot, while the other toes spread out. This reflex is useful for evaluating neurological development and generally fades by the age of 2.
What neurological disorder has primitive reflexes?
Retained primitive reflexes have been associated with various neurological disorders, including developmental coordination disorder (DCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and even autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Are retained primitive reflexes a real thing?
Yes, retained primitive reflexes are a well-documented phenomenon in child development. When these reflexes persist past infancy, they can interfere with the development of voluntary motor skills, coordination, and sensory processing.
