Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)  ## Metadata - Author: [[brain-sync.net]] - Full Title: Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) - Category: #articles - Document Note: Abstract: The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is a primitive reflex that is typically seen in infants and young children. It is a reflexive movement of the limbs in response to a certain type of stimulation. The TLR is important for the development of postural control and balance, as well as for the development of higher level skills such as walking, running, and jumping. This article explores the importance of TLR, the different types, the processes involved in its development and the possible implications for intervention. It also discusses the implications for practitioners, such as doctors and therapists, who work with children who display abnormal reflex patterns. Bullet List Summary: • Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR): - Primitive reflex typically seen in infants and young children - Reflexive movement of the limbs in response to certain types of stimulation - Important for postural control and balance, as well as development of higher level skills such as walking, running, and jumping • Different Types of TLR: - Symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR) - Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR) - Symmetrical tonic labyrinthine reflex (SLR) - Asymmetrical tonic labyrinthine reflex (ALR) • Processes Involved in Development of TLR: - Integration of sensory information - Motor planning and execution - Motor control • Implications for Intervention: - Early detection of abnormal reflex patterns - Use of specific exercises to improve postural control and balance • Implications for Practitioners: - Understanding of reflex patterns in order to identify abnormal ones - Ability to provide effective interventions for children with abnormal reflex patterns Paraphrased Paragraphs: Paragraph 1: TLR is a reflexive movement of the limbs in response to certain types of stimulation that is generally observed in infants and young children. It is an important element in the development of postural control and balance, as well as the development of more complex skills like walking, running, and jumping. Paraphrased: The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is a reflex action of the limbs in response to certain external stimuli, usually seen in infants and young children. This reflex is essential for postural control 1. What are other reflexes related to the TLR? 2. Are there any interventions to help a child with a retained TLR? 3. How does the TLR affect a child’s development of academic abilities and coordination? The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is a baby's first response to gravity which determines their muscle tone. It is stimulated by head movements and is related to the Moro reflex as they both stimulate the vestibular system. There are two components of the TLR, the forward and backward, which are integrated at different ages. Retained TLR can cause motion sickness, poor coordination, balance and muscle tone issues, as well as vision problems such as difficulty changing focus and perceiving depth. These issues can affect the child's academic abilities and coordination. - Document Tags: [[spd]] [[tlr]] - Summary: Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) Trigger—Forward TLR When lying on the back, the baby’s head moves forward, above the level of the spine. Response to - URL: http://www.brain-sync.net/reflexes-2/tlr/ ### TLR [](http://www.brain-sync.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/tlr-flexion.jpg) * When lying on the back, the baby’s head moves forward, above the level of the spine. Response to Trigger * Arms and legs pull up and close to the body [](http://www.brain-sync.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/tlr-ext.jpg)Trigger—Backward TLR * When laying on the back, the baby’s head moves backward, below the level of the spine. Response to Trigger * Arms and legs extend away from the body. * **It is the baby’s first response to gravity.** * **The TLR determines the tone throughout the body, helping the newborn straighten out from the flexed or curled up posture at birth.** * **The Moro and TLR are related because both are stimulated with head movements, which stimulates the vestibular system (the balance system in the inner ear)** * **There are two components of this reflex: the *forward TLR* is present in utero and is integrated at around 4 months old. The *backwards TLR* is present at birth and gradually becomes integrated as higher level reflexes develop, from 6 months up to 3 years old.** When the TLR is retained, every time the child moves his head, his muscle tone changes in response, which will affect his balance. Balance and vision are connected on the same loop. Information from where the body is in space goes to the brain (vestibular nuclei) and then to the eyes. Information also goes from the eyes through the brain and back to the body so the adjustments can be made in the body’s position. A retained TLR gives faulty messages between the brain and the receptors that determine where the body is in space (proprioceptors), which affects the eyes. The child does not have a stationary reference point so his judgment of space, distance, depth and speed will be affected. Not only does this affect the child’s vision, but also affects his sense of where his body is in space and his sense of direction, up vs. down, right vs. left. With a mismatch of information between the eyes and the vestibular system, the child with a retained TLR does not know where his head is in space, affecting his feeling of security with respect to gravity. When he moves his head, he might feel dizzy or the feeling of falling, leading to a fear of heights. When a baby has a retained TLR, bending its head backwards will cause the legs to straighten out. This will affect the baby’s development of creeping and crawling on hands and knees. This may lead to a retained symmetric tonic neck reflex (STNR). If the baby is unable to crawl, this will further impede the development of eye tracking, using two eyes together (binocularity), and focusing, later affecting the child’s academic abilities and coordination. ### Symptoms of a Retained Forward Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) * ##### Problems with Vestibular System * > Motion Sickness > > * > Poor coordination > > * > Poor balance > > * ##### Low muscle tone * ##### Fear of heights * ##### Tires easily when standing for any length of time * ##### Poor posture * > Stooping > > * > Head juts forward in standing > > * ##### Avoids sports, dislikes gym class * ##### Poor sequencing skills * ##### Poor sense of time * ##### Poor sense of rhythm * ##### Problems with vision * > Eye movement and visual perception problems > > * > Problems with depth perception—difficulty estimating distances and catching balls > > * > Difficulty with figure/ground discrimination (ability to determine what objects are closer than others). This is seen in difficulty walking up stairs with open risers. > > * > Difficulty changing focus from near to far > > ### Symptoms of a Retained Backward Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex * ##### Problems with Vestibular System * > Motion Sickness > > * > Poor coordination > > * > Poor balance > > * ##### High muscle tone, resulting in stiff jerky movements * ##### Poor posture, shoulders too far back * ##### Walking on toes * ##### Poor sequencing skills * ##### Poor organizational skills * ##### Poor sense of rhythm * ##### Problems with vision * > Eye movement and visual perception problems > > * > Problems with depth perception—difficulty estimating distances and catching balls > > * > Difficulty with figure/ground discrimination, which is the ability to distinguish order of objects’ closeness to the observer. This is seen in difficulty walking up stairs with open risers. > > * > Difficulty changing focus from near to far > >, Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR), brain-sync.net, 01gtw92z4phjfd6w36m8ksfjpr.