TONIC LABYRINTHINE REFLEX

© 2007–12 Sonia Story and Steven Kane, OTR/L | www.moveplaythrive.com

TONIC LABYRINTHINE REFLEX

Recipient stands with feet together.

STIMULATION

Bend head forward and look at feet, close eyes.

1.

Bend head backward and look at ceiling, close eyes.

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INTEGRATION Isometric Activities

TLR Forward (Flexion) Position—In turtle position:

Flex head forward then curl chin toward chest and press chin against facilitator’s hand.

Extend head into hand of facilitator.

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Chin flexed toward chest, head curled, laterally flex head slightly to side. Do both sides.

c.

TLR Backward (Extension) Position—Lie on back, arms at sides and knees slightly flexed:

Tilt chin up and press head lightly into floor.

Flex head off floor and tilt chin toward chest.

Slight lateral flexion, press head gently into facilitator’s hand. Do both sides.

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b.

c.

Playful Developmental Movement: Roll, rock and spin—with eyes closed and with eyes open

Games: On the belly, roll balls to each other; “fly” on belly with legs up and arms out (Bird or Eagle in “Zoo” Exercises); crawl with a soft ball or toy tucked under chin

Rhythmic Movement #1: Passive Rhythmic Stimulation from the Knees in Supine Position

INTEGRATION Developmental Movements and Games


ASYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK REFLEX

Invite recipient to:

STIMULATION

Hold arms straight out at the shoulder level, wrists relaxed. Slowly turn head to one side and hold, then to the other side and hold. Repeat 2 more times.

Track an object back and forth in front of the eyes at a comfortable distance, about 10 or 15 times (less if obvious difficulty).

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2.


ATNR Back Position1.

Playful Developmental Movements: Crawl on belly; crawl on hands and knees while turning head side to side

Games: Toss beanbag in rainbow arc, following with head; crawl while turning head side to side; crawl while passing balloon from side to side

Rhythmic Movement #1: Passive Rhythmic Stimulation from the Knees in Supine Position, rotating head side to side instead of up and down

Rhythmic Movement #3: Passive Rolling of the Bottom in Prone Position


ATNR Belly Position

2.


SYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK REFLEXInvite recipient to:

Be on hands and knees.

Be on hands and knees, with slightly bent elbows. Ask recipient to slowly bend head forward and look down at knees.

Be on hands and knees, with slightly bent elbows. Ask recipient to slowly bend head backward and look up.

In all positions, notice placement of hands, arms and trunk.

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STIMULATION


Invite recipient into “cat sit” position, bottom resting on legs and ankles, elbows slightly flexed, head facing forward. Press gently on the back of the head, forehead and each temple while recipient meets your gentle pressure.

1.

Invite recipient onto hands and knees, arms slightly flexed but elbows unlocked, head facing forward. Press gently on the backof the head, forehead and each temple while recipient meets your gentle pressure.

2.

Playful Developmental Movements: Crawl while moving head up and down; rock on hands and knees

Puppy Stretches


Games: Toss beanbag up and down, following with head; “Keep the balloons up”

Rhythmic Movement #1: Passive Rhythmic Stimulation from the Knees in Supine Position, while nodding head up and down


HAND REFLEXES: GRASP AND PALMAR/BABKIN

Press one finger on top of palm, just under the fingers.

Press thumb into middle of palm.

Hold a pen or pencil, begin to write a little.

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STIMULATION

Make sucking movements while kneading hands

Model with beeswax

Make paper snowballs

Sequence of grasp hand positions— Do each position 3 times, with a squeeze:

Thumb tucked inside fistThumb out in front of fingersThumb positioned atop index finger; wiggle (This is the first experience of the opposable thumb!)Thumb and index finger make a pincer grip: flat fingers, open and close, back and forthThumb and first two fingers press open and closed, back and forthPress each finger in turn against the thumb

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INTEGRATION


Grasp Reflex—Press one finger at the top of the palm, just under the fingers, and squeeze around it, then slowly open while extending fingers. Repeat 3 to 5 times, each hand separately then both together. Facilitator can also play “pencil sharpener” using the finger as the “pencil” and twisting in the palm of the recipient while the recipient squeezes to “sharpen” the pencil.

Palmar/Babkin Reflex Flex and extend the whole hand: Press thumb into middle of palm, clasp hand around thumb and squeeze, then slowly open while extending fingers

as much as possible. Repeat 3 to 5 times, each hand separately then facilitator does both of recipient’s hands together.

Thumb and little finger isometric: Push thumb and little finger against pressure of your own or a partner’s fingers. Then do the same in the opposite direction.

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2.


FOOT REFLEXES: PLANTAR AND BABINSKI

Playful Developmental Movement: Crawl on belly with toes pushing into floor

Games: Pick up toys or socks with the toes and use toes and feet to throw them at a target; The Walking Song by Brendan O’Hara

Rhythmic Movement #4: Windscreen Wipers


Plantar ReflexPress on the ball of the foot just under the toes.

Babinski ReflexWith firm pressure, stroke along the bottom edge of the foot from heel to little toe.

STIMULATION

INTEGRATION Isometric??? Activities

Plantar Reflex—Press near the top of the ball of the foot. Curl toes around finger and squeeze for seven seconds, then fan the toes outward. Repeat 3–6 times. Do each foot separately, then both together. Relax completely between repetitions.

1.

Babinski Reflex

Stimulate the Babinski Reflex, then push big toe toward head while slightly rotating foot toward eversion. Hold for seven seconds. Repeat 3–6 times.

Push big toe toward head while slightly rotating foot toward inversion. Hold for seven seconds. Repeat 3–6 times.

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b.


FEAR PARALYSIS REFLEXSTIMULATION

Invite recipient to:

Lay down on side in fetal position with eyes closed. Imagine being poked (or with permission facilitator touches) and withdraw the whole body away from the touch. Do this 3 to 5 times in different places.

Fling out arms, gasp, hold breath and curl into standing fetal position, then exhale.

Imagine a loud sound (or with permission facilitator makes loud sound).

Exchange light pushes from front, back and sides.

Tell stories, fairy tales with abandonment/fear themes.

Games: Hide and Seek, chase, etc.

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6.

INTEGRATIONFear Release Tapping Points (use a rhythm that your partner prefers, for example a 1-2-3 waltz rhythm): Tap at 4 or more of the following, or do the whole sequence.

Feet on the soles

Hips (from the sides)

Backs of hands (between fourth and fifth metacarpals)

Arms (distal attachment of triceps)

Arms (deltoid, lateral aspect of shoulders)

K27 points (“Brain Buttons”)

Chest (one hand taps on sternum while other hand’s fingertips lightly touch the xiphoid process at the base of the sternum)

Rhythmic Movements: All Passive Rhythmic Movements

Wrap fingers of one hand around the index finger of the other hand; hold for one to two minutes.

Place hands on the back, over the kidneys and adrenals (just below ribs); hold for one to two minutes.

Hook-Ups and Positive Points from Brain Gym®

Repatterning from Brain Gym®

Integrate Moro Reflex and Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex.

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Brain Gym® is a registered trademark of Brain Gym® International, www.braingym.org


MORO REFLEXInvite recipient to:

Shake hands.

Tip head back, look up at ceiling and fall backwards, catching yourself before falling.

Look at a light source for a few seconds.

1.

2.

3.

Imagine a bad odor, or being too hot or too cold.

With permission, facilitator makes a loud sound.

Games: Partner spinning, astronaut, blanket roll with spinning unwind, Merry Go Round

4.

5.

6.

STIMULATION

INTEGRATION“Monkey Hugs” with all four limbs

The Three Thumps: Tap briskly to stimulate immune and nervous systems:—K27 points (kidney) —Thymus Tapping over center of breastbone —Spleen Points

1.

2.

Isometric ActivityINTEGRATION

Place hands on the back, over the kidneys and adrenals (just below ribs) and hold for one to two minutes.

Hook-Ups and Positive Points from Brain Gym®

Repatterning from Brain Gym®

Integrate Fear Paralysis Reflex and Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex.

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Alternate positions and repeat 3–6 times:

Passive Integration

Roly Poly: Facilitator may help recipient curl up tightly.

Big Star: Stretch out and tip head back

(chin up slightly toward ceiling).


Lie in supine position with knees flexed and arms crossed, place hands on medial aspect of knees and lift feet. Then press lightly toward abduction on the kinees with your hands while flexing the head and curling inward. Alternate with next position and repeat 3–6 times.

1.

Lie in the same supine position with crossed arms and hands on the lateral aspects of flexed knees. Adduct knees lightly with your hands while knees move toward abduction.

2.


SPINAL GALANT REFLEX

Playful Developmental Movements: Roll, crawl on the belly, slide on the back, crawl like a caterpillar or inchworm

Rhythmic Movements #2??? and #3: Passive Rhythmic Stimulation from the Knees in Supine Position and Passive Rolling of the Bottom in Prone Position

Core activation

Back-to-back play after activating reflex on both sides

INTEGRATION Developmental Movements

Invite recipient to be in quadruped or to lie on back, belly or side. Then with permission gently but firmly press finger down the back an inch or two to the side of the spine. Do each side. Also can be done standing.

STIMULATION

INTEGRATION Isometric Activity

Recipient is supine, prone, standing, on side or in quadruped. Facilitator stimulates reflex on one side then recipient curves head, shoulder and hip into slight “C” curve. Repeat 3–6 times then do the other side.

Passive IntegrationFor young children and those who are not able to participate in the Isometric Activity, use Passive Integration: First give Spinal Galant stimulation, then gently squeeze the shoulder and hip together on the same side for seven seconds. Repeat 3–6 times and do other side.


HEADRIGHTING REFLEXES

Invite recipient to sit and focus eyes on a point in the distance. Facilitator tips recipient 30 to 45 degrees to each side, front and back.

Invite recipient to site and focus eyes on a point in the distance, but close eyes as if looking at the point. Facilitator tips recipient 30 to 45 degrees to each side, front and back.

Do #1 and #2 without eye instructions.

1.

2.

3.

STIMULATION

INTEGRATIONGames: Games on the belly, lifting head and chest

Vestibular training

Slow rotation, rolling, and tilting with eyes closed and eyes open

Scooter boards, wobble boards, bosu, trampoline

Balance on one foot, then close eyes; increase the amount of time with eyes closed as skill develops

Integrate Moro Reflex and Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex.

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3.

INTEGRATION Isometric Activity

TO THE SIDE (OTHER SIDE NOT SHOWN)

TO THE BACK TO THE FRONT

Facilitator tilts the recipient to either the side, front or back. Facilitator securely holds the weight of recipient during the tilt. Facilitator holds hand near the recipient’s head and recipient tilts head into the facilitator’s hand using very light pressure (no more than one pound). There should be no straining in the neck with these activities.

Hold each position for seven seconds and repeat 3 to 6 times. Do this for all positions as needed.

Repeat with eyes closed.

Note: It is not necessary to do the integration for each position in equal amounts. If the Headrighting Reflexes are established in the front and back but not on the sides, you can do the integration just where is it needed on the sides.


5-STEP BALANCE FOR REFLEX INTEGRATIONModified from the Brain Gym® Balance Procedure

NOTE: YOU CAN BALANCE FOR MORE THAN ONE GOAL AT A TIME AND MORE THAN ONE REFLEX AT A TIME.

Choose a personal goal that you feel reflexes may be involved with. (For example, some people experience that FPR is related to their response about a job interview or public speaking, etc.) Or you may choose any goal, whether or not you think it relates to a reflex. You may also balance for more than one reflex at a time by activating those reflexes in Step 2.


Goal or Intention Integrate reflex(es)

Other goal (choose a goal that is meaningful to you)Note: Older children and adults can write and speak goal to reinforce the learning. With younger children, I often skip this step to maintain the flow and play in the balance.

Act Out Goal and Activate Reflexes Act out goal/role-play (ten seconds)

Choose one or more Reflex Stimulation activities

Movement and PlayChoose any combination of the following:

Reflex Integration Activities

Play

Rhythmic and Developmental Movements

Other movements, dance, etc.

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Repatterning (standing or lying down)

Puppet Crawl, eyes looking down, with pause and deep breath in between

Cross crawl, eyes looking up, and making “ah” sound

Integration—arms outstretched, slowly bring hands together, lace fingers

Hook-Ups (okay to end Repatterning here)

Cross crawl with eyes looking all around, or spinning cross crawl, counter-clockwise then clockwise

Water if desired

Act Out Goal (post-activity)

Act out goal/role-play

Reflex stimulation activities (optional, not necessary)

If you wrote/spoke your goal in Step 1, it is important to rewrite the goal and speak it again from the balanced state.

Acknowledge and celebrate

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TONIC LABYRINTHINE REFLEX