The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is a whole body reflex that is hypothesized to have a wide range of influence including:
  • Musculoskeletal (cervical, shoulder girdle & upper limb, trunk, hip, knee)
  • Scoliosis
  • Body imagery
  • Dizziness
  • Neurodevelopmental e.g. reading/dyslexia

In reality, the Schilder test is not ideal and is arguably non functional since the ATNR is stimulated in supine during the neurodevelopmental process. The implications of it being present in standing are unknown, but usually when a primitive reflex is present outside of normal testing it means it is a stronger reflex and a worse presentation.

The presence of an ATNR that was no inhibited during the neurodevelopmental process is important since normal rolling cannot develop and crawling will likely be less efficient. The musculoskeletal implications for the ATNR are widespread (e.g., range of motion, muscle tone / tightness, coordination, motor control).

If you rehabilitate movement and motor control you should know about primitive reflexes.

Reference example for Schilder Test

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7370024/

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.430685/full