Understanding ATNR: Supporting Your Child with Primitive Reflex Retention at Home and School
The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is a primitive reflex typically present in babies and usually fades within the first few months of life. For some children, however, the ATNR reflex remains, affecting their movement, coordination, and even learning. As a mom of a child with ATNR, I’ve learned so much about how this reflex impacts my child and what we, as a family, can do to support them in both home and school settings.
What is ATNR?
The ATNR reflex helps infants as they grow in early life, aiding them in rolling over, developing hand-eye coordination, and engaging their vision. When a baby with ATNR turns their head, the arm and leg on the same side stretch out, while the opposite limbs bend. While helpful in infancy, retaining this reflex can create difficulties with balance, posture, handwriting, reading, and more as a child grows older.
My Experience as a Mom of a Child with ATNR
When I noticed my child struggling with coordination and fine motor tasks like handwriting and holding utensils, I sought guidance from therapists and teachers. We discovered ATNR was the underlying issue. It was a challenging journey at first, but with supportive resources and consistent exercises, my child has made strides in managing this reflex retention.
Practical Supports for Families with ATNR at Home
- Movement and Balance Activities
- Encourage simple exercises, such as crawling, that help children "relearn" coordinated movements. Crawling strengthens connections between the two sides of the body.
- Try balance-based activities like using a wobbleboard, which helps build core stability and coordination.
- Cross-Pattern Exercises
- Engage in cross-pattern exercises like "cross-crawling," where a child touches their right knee with their left hand and vice versa. This movement promotes neurological integration, helping reduce the impact of the retained ATNR.
- Sensory Integration Tools
- Weighted blankets or lap pads can help children feel grounded and focused. They’re accommodating during tasks requiring fine motor skills, like writing or eating.
- Try a sensory swing, which can be calming and improve spatial awareness.
- Fine Motor Games
- Encourage activities that develop fine motor skills, such as threading beads, playing with clay, or using clothespins. These activities can improve the coordination affected by ATNR.
Supporting Children with ATNR in the School Setting
For children with ATNR, adjustments at school can significantly reduce daily struggles. Consider these supports to help your child thrive:
- Alternative Seating
- Flexible seating options, like wobble stools or chair bands, can help children release excess energy and stay focused during classroom tasks.
- Visual Supports
- Provide visuals on desks and in common spaces. Picture-based schedules or color-coded instructions can help reduce stress and increase comprehension.
- Assistive Tools
- Pencil grips and slant boards can be great tools for supporting handwriting, which is often challenging for children with ATNR.
- Breaks for Movement
- Frequent movement breaks help children re-center and reset, making it easier for them to focus on tasks that require concentration.
Books and Products for Supporting ATNR
- Books
- Reflexes, Learning, and Behavior by Sally Goddard Blythe: This book provides insights into primitive reflexes, including ATNR, and practical approaches to help children manage retained reflexes. Get it on Amazon here Reflexes, Learning, and Behavior by Sally Goddard Blythe
- The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz: While focusing on sensory processing, this book is excellent for understanding how retained reflexes affect daily life. Get it on Amazon here The Out-of-Sync Child by Sally Goddard Blythe
- Move, Play, and Learn with Smart Steps by Gill Connell and Cheryl McCarthy: Filled with activities to develop motor skills, coordination, and balance, this book is ideal for supporting a child with ATNR at home. Get it on Amazon here Move, Play, and Learn with Smart Steps by Gill Connell and Cheryl McCarthy
- Products
- Wobble Board: Helps children improve balance and body coordination, making it useful for reducing the impact of ATNR on movement. Get it on Amazon here Amazon Basics Wood Wobble Balance Trainer Board
