Understanding and Addressing a Retained Moro Reflex in Children
The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is an involuntary response seen in newborns, where they extend their arms and legs suddenly in reaction to a loud sound or sudden movement. Typically, this reflex fades by around 4–6 months of age as the baby’s nervous system matures. However, in some children, the Moro reflex remains active beyond infancy, which can lead to challenges in development.
What Happens with a Retained Moro Reflex?
A retained Moro reflex means that the child’s body continues to react with a sudden, exaggerated startle response to stimuli such as loud noises, fast movements, or even slight changes in position. This reflex can cause children to feel anxious, irritable, or overwhelmed, and may also lead to difficulties with balance, coordination, and focus.
Children with a retained Moro reflex may:
- Be easily startled or upset by loud sounds, sudden movements, or changes in position.
- Have poor balance and difficulty with activities requiring coordination (e.g., running, jumping, or riding a bike).
- Struggle with emotional regulation, feeling anxious, fearful, or distressed more often than other children.
- Experience sensory sensitivities, such as becoming overwhelmed by textures, lights, or sounds.
How to Help a Child with a Retained Moro Reflex
There are several ways to support a child with a retained Moro reflex, including:
- Gentle Swaddling or Weighted Blankets: For younger children, swaddling can provide a sense of security. For older children, weighted blankets can help calm the nervous system.
- Body Awareness Activities: Engage in activities like tummy time, balance exercises, or gentle rocking to help the child develop control over their body and improve coordination.
- Deep Pressure Stimulation: Activities like massage or brushing therapy can soothe the nervous system and promote relaxation.
- Gradual Desensitization: Slowly expose the child to mild stimuli that trigger the reflex, helping them adjust without becoming overwhelmed.
Moro Reflex Integration
The videos below illustrate one of many ways to integrate the Moro reflex. The reality is that each child may require varying level of supports, or other motivating activities in order to participate, or be compliant. For a personalized approach for integrating reflexes, Therahappy offers this custom approach. Each family that comes to us for primitive reflex testing is taught how to engage their child in the exercises. No two children are alike, and no two home programs can be exactly the same for this reason.
What Happens When Moro Integrates?
When Moro integrates, there is often still neurological work to do.
Moro is a primitive response to the displacement of the child’s head below their heart, or response to sudden stimuli. This reflex is also one of the central nervous system’s predecessors to Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, also known as Tonic Neck Reflex. The onset of TLR is a normal progression once Moro is integrated. TLR may also present with Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) and Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR).
Once Moro is integrated, high arm guard and startle responses should diminish. It is typical for reflexes to resurface temporarily during illness, trauma, and growth spurts.
Each primitive reflex is unique and has specific triggers and integration patterns. Be sure the therapist you are working with is able to help guide you on this process.
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