Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
What is the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex and what does it do?
Tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR) emerges in utero and typically integrates by the age of three to four months. This reflex is responsible for the infant’s understanding of up and down, front, and back, and the relationship between the body and gravity. It helps maintain balance, posture, and muscle tone. The TLR is directly tied to the vestibular system, which is located in the inner ear and acts as the body’s gravity sensor informing it about its position in space. When activated, TLR causes the body to extend or flex in response to changes in head position, preparing the infant for movement and stability.
Successful integration of the TLR is a prerequisite for the development of motor milestones like rolling over, sitting up independently, crawling, and eventually walking. If the reflex remains active, head movement will involuntarily influence the tone and position of the limbs, interfering with the ability to perform coordinated, intentional movements.
Typical behaviors we see when the in not integrated (retained):
· Motion sickness
· Poor coordination
· Poor balance
· Poor posture
· Low muscle tone
· Fear of heights
· Avoids sports, dislikes gym classes
· Tires easily when standing for any length of time
· Poor sense of time
· Poor sequencing skills
· Poor sense of rhythm
· Difficulty with convergence/divergence
· Difficulty with depth perception
· Difficulty with Figure Ground discrimination
· Eye movement and visual perception problems