ADHD and Primitive Reflexes: How Trampoline & Gymnastics Help with ATNR Integration

Learn how ADHD is linked to retained primitive reflexes and how trampoline and gymnastics can help integrate ATNR for improved development.

Introduction: Primitive reflexes are vital for early childhood development, helping lay the foundation for motor skills and cognitive abilities. However, when these reflexes aren’t fully integrated, they can lead to challenges like ADHD. In this post, we’ll explore how primitive reflexes like ATNR and STNR are connected to ADHD and how trampoline therapy and gymnastics support their integration, enhancing your child’s development.

Summary of the Study: A systematic review titled Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is Associated with Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflexes examined the link between ADHD and primitive reflexes, specifically ATNR and STNR. Findings revealed a moderate correlation between ADHD and these non-integrated reflexes, suggesting that addressing them could play a key role in managing ADHD symptoms.

• Key Findings:

• Moderate correlation found between ADHD and ATNR (r = 0.48) and STNR (r = 0.39).

• Behavioral assessments, sex, and reflex tests influenced the strength of these correlations.

• The need for more research on the causality between ADHD and primitive reflex non-integration was highlighted. The authors concluded that ADHD symptoms are closely linked to the non-integration of ATNR and STNR, suggesting a need for further research to explore the causality of this relationship.

How Trampoline & Gymnastics Help with Reflex Integration: At Balanced Creations Therapy & Trampoline, we use specific trampoline and gymnastics activities designed to address retained primitive reflexes like ATNR, promoting coordination and cognitive function.

How Trampoline Therapy Supports Reflex Integration:

• ATNR Integration: ATNR can persist if not properly integrated by age six, affecting physical and cognitive development. Trampoline activities like cross-body movements and eye tracking help diminish ATNR by encouraging integrated movements. Activities include running on the spot, single-leg balance, and jumping turns.

How Gymnastics Supports Reflex Integration:

• Gymnastics Activities: Specific gymnastics exercises help with ATNR integration, including crawling under mats, balance beam work, log rolling, cartwheels, and opposition-based movements like leg kicks and marching. These movements engage both sides of the body, improving coordination, balance, and reflex integration.

Signs Your Child May Have Retained ATNR:

• Gross Motor Challenges: Difficulty crawling, imbalance, clumsiness, and poor sports performance.

• Fine Motor Challenges: Struggles with eye-hand coordination, handwriting, and speech production.

• Visual & Auditory Challenges: Difficulty with vision, visual-motor tasks, and processing auditory information.

• Attention & Concentration: Poor focus, difficulty concentrating, and speech-language delays.

Next Steps:

If you notice any of these challenges in your child, don’t wait. Reach out to us today for a free 15-minute consultation or your initial session.

Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll explore the Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) and its impact on development.

Research Article Link: Read the full study here