Grasping reflex
This reflex is triggered when something is placed in the child’s hand, causing them to close it.
Explanations Grasping reflex
This reflex influences the development of the hand’s gross motor skills. It prepares for the differentiation between the right and left sides and the hand-mouth and hand-foot coordination. The centering is formed by coordinating upper and lower body movements. The grasping reflex always works in conjunction with the pull-up reflex, which is later integrated into the grasping reflex.
If the reflex is not fully integrated, the following abnormalities can occur:
- The development of laterality is slowed down.
- Hand-eye coordination remains uncertain.
- Hand-foot coordination also remains uncertain.
- Fine motor problems may occur as a result.
- The gross motor skills of the hands remain undifferentiated.
- A cramped pen posture, strong pressure on the pen when drawing and writing, rapid fatigue when writing lead to unwillingness and refusal.
- Co-movement of the mouth and tongue during writing are observable.
- Slurred articulation is often heard.
Onset: 11th week in utero
Duration: Active from birth to the 1st year of life
Integration: End of the 1st year of life
More interesting knowledge…
… about early childhood reflexes, as well as concrete exercises for subsequent integration and centering can be found in my course BalanceHIRO®.