The Moro Reflex is one of the first reflexes to develop in utero and first to integrate at about 4 months of age. This reflex can be triggered by various senses as well as head tilting backwards in space. Through a trigger, an infant warns caregivers of possible threats. Listed below are possible red flags to look for if reflex has not integrated:
- Hypersensitivity to sound, light, movement, touch, and/or smell
- Motion sickness
- Difficulty with reading, writing, and/or vision
- Poor balance
- Poor coordination
- Easily triggered and/or emotional outbursts
- Difficulty adapting to change and filtering out stimuli in environment
- Difficulty with visual perceptual skills
Occupational Therapy can assist in integration of reflexes to ensure meaningful engagement with all occupations.
