ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex)

The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is a natural reflex observed in infants, typically emerging around birth. When a baby turns their head to one side, the limbs on that side straighten, while the limbs on the opposite side bend. This reflex helps with early neck and hand-eye coordination, guiding infants as they develop movement skills. Usually, ATNR diminishes by six months as voluntary control of movements improves, but if it persists, it can interfere with activities like crawling or reading. Its presence and integration are important markers of neurological development in infancy.