Like the STNR, the amphibian reflex is a postural reflex. It develops around 4-6 months of age and remains with us for life, unlike most reflex patterns. When you tilt up one side of the pelvis, the knee on that side when move toward the waistline.
This is an extremely important reflex for crawling and children who don’t develop it will not crawl correctly–the will “bear crawl” with their bottom high in the air.The emergence of this reflex is an indicator that the ATNR reflex has been significantly inhibited, because position of the limbs used to be determined by head position (remember, turning of the head caused the infant to go into the fencer’s pose). Now, the child has the ability to move his legs independently of his head.
According to Sally Goddard, a lack of presence of the amphibian reflex can (and most likely will) cause problems with anything that requires gross motor coordination later on (like P.E. Class) and the child will have an inability to cross crawl (touch the hand to the opposite knee–a basic Brain Gym move).
This is an extremely important reflex for crawling and children who don’t develop it will not crawl correctly–the will “bear crawl” with their bottom high in the air.The emergence of this reflex is an indicator that the ATNR reflex has been significantly inhibited, because position of the limbs used to be determined by head position (remember, turning of the head caused the infant to go into the fencer’s pose). Now, the child has the ability to move his legs independently of his head.
According to Sally Goddard, a lack of presence of the amphibian reflex can (and most likely will) cause problems with anything that requires gross motor coordination later on (like P.E. Class) and the child will have an inability to cross crawl (touch the hand to the opposite knee–a basic Brain Gym move).
Amphibian Reflex