Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)
The TLR provides the baby with a means of learning about gravity and mastering neck and head control outside the womb. This reflex is important for giving the baby the opportunity to practice balance; increase muscle tone; and develop the proprioceptive and balance senses. The TLR interacts with other reflexes to help the infant to start developing coordination, posture and correct head alignment.
It is vital for the TLR to do its job because correct alignment of the head with the rest of the body is necessary for balance, eye tracking, auditory processing, muscle tone and organised movements – all of which are essential to the development of our ability to focus and pay attention.
Some possible long term effects of an unintegrated TLR are:
- Balance and coordination difficulties
- Hunched posture
- Easily fatigued
- Poor muscle tone
- Difficulty judging distance, depth, space and speed
- Visual, speech, auditory difficulties
- Stiff jerky movement
- Toe walking
- Difficulty walking up and down stairs
