Reflex Integration by Developmental Timeline

In Utero Reflexes

1. Moro Reflex – The Survival Alarm

Emerges: In utero
Integrates: By 2–4 months after birth
Function: Activates the fight-or-flight response and mobilizes survival-based reactions to sensory input. It’s also the precursor to bonding and social orientation.
Signs of Retention:

• Hypersensitivity to sound, light, touch, or movement
• Poor stress hormone regulation
• Emotional reactivity, phobias, or social withdrawal
• Vestibular issues (fear of movement or spinning)
• Adrenal fatigue, allergies, poor immunity
• Difficulty with transitions or adapting to new information
  Supporting Functions Affected: Stress regulation, vestibular balance, safety response, emotional stability, immune resilience, and attention.

2. Fear Paralysis Reflex – The Freeze Response

Emerges: In utero (can be as fast as 21 days)
Integrates: It becomes startle response
Function: Defensive response to overwhelming stimuli; helps the fetus withdraw from danger.
Signs of Retention:

• Frozen responses in stress (inward panic)
• Social withdrawal, extreme shyness
• Sensitivity to unexpected stimuli
• Poor muscle tone or ability to relax
• Anxiety, phobias, emotional rigidity
  Supporting Functions Affected: Stress hormone regulation, focus, bonding, muscle tone, sensory sensitivity.

3. Babkin Reflex – The Palm-Mouth Connector

Emerges: In utero
Integrates: By 3 months
Function: Links hand pressure with oral-motor responses; plays a role in feeding, speech, and emotional regulation.
Signs of Retention:

• Difficulty with speech clarity or articulation
• Oral hypersensitivity, gag reflex
• Mouth movements while concentrating
• Nail-biting or hand fidgeting under stress
• Challenges with self-regulation
  Supporting Functions Affected: Speech articulation, hand-to-mouth coordination, feeding, self-soothing.

4. Rooting Reflex – The Feeding Seeker

Emerges: In utero
Integrates: By 3–4 months
Function: Helps infant locate breast/bottle for feeding.
Signs of Retention:

• Hypersensitivity around cheeks/mouth
• Poor tolerance of touch/food textures
• Difficulty turning head
• Emotional reactivity to change or contact
  Supporting Functions Affected: Feeding readiness, facial sensory regulation, bonding, attention control.

5. Sucking Reflex – The Nurture Response

Emerges: ~28 weeks gestation
Integrates: By 4–6 months
Function: Coordinates rhythmic sucking for nourishment and soothing.
Signs of Retention:

• Speech delays
• Thumb sucking or chewing
• Oral fixation
• Emotional regulation challenges
  Supporting Functions Affected: Speech, feeding, oral sensory processing, arousal regulation.

6. Suck–Breathe–Swallow Reflex – The Life Triad

Emerges: 32–34 weeks gestation
Integrates: By 6–12 months
Function: Coordinates feeding and breathing.
Signs of Retention:

• Poor coordination during eating
• Sleep/apnea issues
• Hypotonia
• Emotional hypersensitivity
  Supporting Functions Affected: Breath coordination, sleep, digestion, vagus nerve tone.

Reflex that Emerge Post Birth

1. Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) – The Archer Reflex

Emerges: At birth
Integrates: By 6–9 months
Function: Supports hand-eye coordination and midline development.
Signs of Retention:

• Difficulty crossing midline
• Poor handwriting or paper positioning
• Dyslexia, dyscalculia
• Visual tracking issues
  Supporting Functions Affected: Reading, language, balance, visual & auditory processing.

2. Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) – The Gravity Reflex

Emerges: At birth
Integrates: By 3.5 years
Function: Adjusts posture in relation to gravity.
Signs of Retention:

• Poor posture and balance
• Low or high muscle tone
• Emotional fatigue or disorientation
  Supporting Functions Affected: Vestibular processing, emotional regulation, reasoning.

3. Spinal Galant Reflex – The Wiggle Reflex

Emerges: At birth
Integrates: By 3–9 months
Function: Stimulates hip movement and spinal mobility.
Signs of Retention:

• Fidgeting, bedwetting
• Discomfort with tight clothing
• Scoliosis or poor posture
  Supporting Functions Affected: Concentration, sensory modulation, spinal alignment.
• 7. Babinski Reflex – The Foot Awareness Reflex

Emerges: At birth
Integrates: By 12–24 months
Function: Supports foot arch development and posture.
Signs of Retention:

• Toe-walking, poor balance
• Facial tension, TMJ
• Motor coordination issues
  Supporting Functions Affected: Grounding, balance, coordination.

4. Automatic Gait Reflex – The Blueprint for Walking

Emerges: Birth
Integrates: Within the first year
Function: Supports reciprocal movement for walking.
Signs of Retention:

• Awkward gait, tripping
• Poor midline crossing
• Slowed learning pace
  Supporting Functions Affected: Midline coordination, vestibular processing.

3–5 Months

5. Landau Reflex – The Anti-Gravity Developer

Emerges: 3–5 months
Integrates: By 12–24 months
Function: Supports anti-gravity posture.
Signs of Retention:

• Leaning posture
• Locked knees or low energy
• Emotional flatness
  Supporting Functions Affected: Posture, orientation, emotional tone.

6–9 Months

6. Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) – The Transition Reflex

Emerges: 6–9 months
Integrates: By 9–11 months
Function: Coordinates head and body during crawling.
Signs of Retention:

• Slumped posture, W-sitting
• Near-far visual tracking issues
• Fidgeting or impulsivity
  Supporting Functions Affected: Posture, visual-motor skills, coordination.

Reflexes Without Specific Emergence Dates (Postnatal Observations)

7. Core Tendon Guard Reflex – The Protective Tension Reflex

Function: Full-body flexion in response to stress.
Signs of Retention:

• Rigidity, hypervigilance
• Poor self-regulation or focus
• Reactivity to change
  Supporting Functions Affected: Muscle tone, safety, attention.

8. Foot Tendon Guard Reflex – The Lower Body Stabilizer (click the link for the video)

Function: Supports foot-ground stability.
Signs of Retention:

• Toe-walking
• Anxiety or stress-holding in legs
• Postural misalignment
  Supporting Functions Affected: Balance, posture, decision-making.

9. Foot Grasp Reflex – The Grounding Reflex

Function: Aids balance and posture.
Signs of Retention:

• Poor running/jumping
• Impulsivity or emotional instability
• Poor core engagement
  Supporting Functions Affected: Grounding, mobility, confidence.

10. Leg Cross Flexion/Extension Reflex – The Postural Balancer

Function: Develops reciprocal leg motion.
Signs of Retention:

• Hyperactivity, poor balance
• Difficulty with endurance
• Athletic participation issues
  Supporting Functions Affected: Symmetry, coordination, stamina.

11. Flying and Landing Reflex – The Ground Contact Regulator

Function: Regulates jumping and landing safety.
Signs of Retention:

• Impulsive jumping, fear of heights
• Risky behavior without awareness
• Mood imbalance
  Supporting Functions Affected: Proprioception, balance, emotional regulation.

12. Trunk Extension Reflex – The Core Strengthener

Function: Supports upright posture and torso control.
Signs of Retention:

• Leaning, toe-walking, W-sitting
• Pressure-seeking
• Poor concentration
  Supporting Functions Affected: Core strength, posture, sensory integration.

13. Spinal Perez Reflex – The Backline Activator

Function: Prepares the body for crawling and postural activation.
Signs of Retention:

• Sound/touch sensitivity
• Hyperactivity or digestive issues
• Poor spinal mobility
  Supporting Functions Affected: Spinal function, regulation, emotional control.

14. Bauer Crawling Reflex – The Cross-Body Connector

Function: Builds cross-lateral coordination through crawling.
Signs of Retention:

• Skipped crawling, poor coordination
• Difficulty crossing midline
• Limited creativity or learning pace
  Supporting Functions Affected: Bilateral integration, posture, cognitive development.

15.Head Righting Reflexes – The Postural Compass (click the link for the video because this is SO important)

Emerges: Birth–4 months
Integrates: Around 6 months (mature form persists)
Function: Aligns head with body and gravity.
Signs of Retention:

• Head lag
• Slouched seated posture
• Poor tracking or visual–vestibular coordination
  Supporting Functions Affected: Posture, balance, vision, fine motor control.