Children with an active grasp reflex will usually have poor fine motor skills and lack the pincer grip, which is used for writing, as well as experience poor articulation and other speech disorders. They may also have involuntary movement of the hands when speaking and hold their pencil too tightly to compensate for their weak grip, causing tensions in the shoulder and arm. The moro reflex is found to be able to be inhibited by stimulating the Palmar Grasp reflex, which is why stress balls are effective (Goddard, 2005).
Works Cited
Goddard, S. (2005). Reflexes, learning and behavior: A window into the child’s mind. Eugene: Fern Ridge Press.
Works Cited
Goddard, S. (2005). Reflexes, learning and behavior: A window into the child’s mind. Eugene: Fern Ridge Press.
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Logitudinal Rocking: a Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Exercise. Note: for the purpose of integrating this reflex, only do the rocking with hands position.
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Rocking on Hands and Knees
Focus is on the hands, so make sure that hands are flat and pointed forward while doing this exercise. |
Additional activities to integrate
Monkey Bars
Squeeze hands and open (25 times). You can also do this with a small foam ball that fits into the palm of the hand. Have child squeeze 30 times with all fingers, including the thumb. Then squeeze the thumb and each finger individually, starting with index finger and work toward the pinky, then back toward the thumb. Here is a video clip I found of this exercise.
Have child squeeze your finger as tight as he can for 7 seconds and then open with fingers stretched out (6 times). He can also be sucking while squeezing and then when he opens his hands, swallow and say "ahhh with a wide open mouth."
Lots of heavy work with the hands and fingers, such as stiff putty.
Do finger tip touches, thumb tip to the tip of each individual finger. Go to the pinky and back. Try both hands at the same time. Try going in opposite directions with each hand.
Have child pick up items with tweezers or chopsticks.
Squeeze hands and open (25 times). You can also do this with a small foam ball that fits into the palm of the hand. Have child squeeze 30 times with all fingers, including the thumb. Then squeeze the thumb and each finger individually, starting with index finger and work toward the pinky, then back toward the thumb. Here is a video clip I found of this exercise.
Have child squeeze your finger as tight as he can for 7 seconds and then open with fingers stretched out (6 times). He can also be sucking while squeezing and then when he opens his hands, swallow and say "ahhh with a wide open mouth."
Lots of heavy work with the hands and fingers, such as stiff putty.
Do finger tip touches, thumb tip to the tip of each individual finger. Go to the pinky and back. Try both hands at the same time. Try going in opposite directions with each hand.
Have child pick up items with tweezers or chopsticks.
Need More Guidance?
If you would like to learn more strategies to integrate this reflex, including the highly effective isometric exercises, or would like to build an individualized program for your child, please fill out the questionnaire below, send it to me and request a consultation time.
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