PERTH · FACE TO FACE AND ONLINE
ATNR Reflex in Children
The ATNR, or asymmetrical tonic neck reflex, is one of the automatic movements babies are born with. When it is retained past the first months of life, it can make handwriting, reading and crossing the midline of the body harder than they should be.
Primitive Reflex Integration Practitioner · Brain Gym® Consultant · Qualified primary school teacher · Mum of three
I’m Michele, a Primitive Reflex Integration Practitioner and Brain Gym® Consultant in Perth. This page explains what the ATNR is, the signs of a retained ATNR, and how integration works.
What is the ATNR reflex?
The ATNR is sometimes called the “fencing” reflex, or simply the tonic neck reflex. When a baby turns their head to one side, the arm and leg on that side straighten, and the arm and leg on the other side bend. It is one of the primitive reflexes that help a baby move and begin to connect what their eyes see with what their hands do.
As the brain matures the ATNR is meant to integrate, usually by around 4 to 6 months, so the head can turn without the arms and legs following.
You can read about other primitive reflexes on my Moro reflex, STNR and spinal galant reflex pages.
What is a retained ATNR?
When the ATNR is retained, turning the head can still tug the arm on that side. Think about what a child does at a desk: they look across the page, then back, then up at the board. If each turn of the head is pulling at the writing arm, the body has to work hard to hold everything steady, and that effort has to come from somewhere.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Signs I commonly see with a retained ATNR
Messy or effortful handwriting, or a very tight pencil grip
Turning the page or the whole body to write, rather than moving the arm across
Losing their place when reading, or finding it hard to follow a line of text
Difficulty crossing the midline, for example reaching across the body or swapping hands in the middle of a task
Mixed hand preference after the age you would expect one hand to lead
Trouble with hand-eye coordination, such as catching or hitting a ball
Every child is different, and there can be many reasons for each of these. If several sound familiar, an assessment can show whether a retained reflex is part of the picture.
AT HOME
Simple ATNR activities to try at home
- Crawling games, tunnels and animal walks, which use both sides of the body together
- Cross-body games: touching a hand to the opposite knee, or marching on the spot to music
- Drawing big shapes on a vertical surface like a whiteboard or a window
- Ball games that involve tracking with the eyes and reaching across the body
- Keep it playful and short. A few minutes most days does more than a long session once a week
When a retained ATNR is worth getting checked
If handwriting or reading is causing real frustration, talk to your child’s teacher, and check in with your GP if you have concerns about vision or development. An eye test is always worth doing when a child is struggling to read. My work is movement based and sits alongside that support, not instead of it.
WORKING WITH ME
How I can help
In an initial appointment I assess which primitive reflexes are still active, along with brain and body organisation and side dominance. We then work through simple, playful movements in weekly sessions, with “home play” in between. You can see the full process and prices on my services page.
I often combine reflex integration with Brain Gym®, which uses simple movements to help both sides of the brain work together.
QUESTIONS
Common questions
When should the ATNR integrate?
Most primitive reflexes, including the ATNR, are meant to integrate by around 4 to 6 months as the brain matures.
Is a retained ATNR the same as dyslexia or dysgraphia?
No. Those are diagnoses made by other professionals, and a retained reflex is not a diagnosis. I work with the movement side: whether a reflex is still active and making writing and reading harder work for the body.
How long before we see a difference?
Positive results are usually seen after 5 or 6 weeks. Practising the exercises at home between sessions helps the new pathways strengthen faster.
Do you only see children in Perth?
I see children face to face in Perth and also offer online appointments.
Not sure where to start?
You are welcome to get in touch for a free phone chat about what you are noticing in your child.