Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
The presence of the ATNR was found to be significantly correlated with difficulties in reading, spelling and mathematics in a comparative study of 683 children (Jordan-Black, 2005). The ATNR is associated with eye-tracking problems and difficulties crossing the midline, as well as expression of ideas in written form. Essentially what happens is that when a child is sitting at his desk writing, and he turns his head to see the board or the teacher, his writing arm will extend slightly and thus looses his spot on the page. To compensate, children will use a very tight grip and press hard on the paper (Oden, 2004).
Knowing if the ATNR is unintegrated
a) In a table-top position, have the child close his eyes and gently turn his head in one direction, wait and then the other. Notice if his opposite elbow bends, even slightly.
b) In a standing position, have student put out is hands straight out in front of his body. Again, closing his eyes, gently turn his head to one side, wait and then the other. Notice if the opposite arm goes down or if the arms follow the head turn.
c) Lying on his back, have student relax his arms on the mat, bent at a 90 degree angle. Gently turn his to one direction and then the other. Notice if there is any movement, even slight ones, in the hands or feet of the side opposite of the turn.
Any of the movements mentioned in a-c would be an indication of the presence of the ATNR.
Exercises to integrate the ATNR
a) Homolateral flip-flops, or lizards, (then building to crosslateral when homolateral is automatic)
Knowing if the ATNR is unintegrated
a) In a table-top position, have the child close his eyes and gently turn his head in one direction, wait and then the other. Notice if his opposite elbow bends, even slightly.
b) In a standing position, have student put out is hands straight out in front of his body. Again, closing his eyes, gently turn his head to one side, wait and then the other. Notice if the opposite arm goes down or if the arms follow the head turn.
c) Lying on his back, have student relax his arms on the mat, bent at a 90 degree angle. Gently turn his to one direction and then the other. Notice if there is any movement, even slight ones, in the hands or feet of the side opposite of the turn.
Any of the movements mentioned in a-c would be an indication of the presence of the ATNR.
Exercises to integrate the ATNR
a) Homolateral flip-flops, or lizards, (then building to crosslateral when homolateral is automatic)
b) Fencer pose. Lying on the back, or sitting in a chair, child turns his head to one side while extending the arm of the direction of the turn pointing to the floor. The leg of that side also extends. The opposite arm bends up and the leg bends up as well.
Other Integration Methods
There are other ways to integrate the ATNR reflex that requires special training in methods such as Blomberg's Rhythmic Movment Training (BRMT) and the Masgutova Method. Information on Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training and can be found here. If interested, you can purchase Masgutova manuals and DVD's online as well as access as instructional videos for integrating reflexes for a fee. Bonnie Brandes has developed a protocol to integrate the reflexes with use of a cold laser, which has proven to be quite promising. Information about the use of her protocol is found here and youtube videos posted by Bonnie can be found here.
Works Cited
Jordan-Black, J. A. (2005). The effects of the Primary Movement Programme on the academic performance of children attending ordinary primary school. The journal of Research in Special Eduation Needs 5:3 p. 101-111. 11/11/05
Oden, A. (2004). Ready Bodies Learning Minds.
Other Integration Methods
There are other ways to integrate the ATNR reflex that requires special training in methods such as Blomberg's Rhythmic Movment Training (BRMT) and the Masgutova Method. Information on Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training and can be found here. If interested, you can purchase Masgutova manuals and DVD's online as well as access as instructional videos for integrating reflexes for a fee. Bonnie Brandes has developed a protocol to integrate the reflexes with use of a cold laser, which has proven to be quite promising. Information about the use of her protocol is found here and youtube videos posted by Bonnie can be found here.
Works Cited
Jordan-Black, J. A. (2005). The effects of the Primary Movement Programme on the academic performance of children attending ordinary primary school. The journal of Research in Special Eduation Needs 5:3 p. 101-111. 11/11/05
Oden, A. (2004). Ready Bodies Learning Minds.
