Amphibian Reflex

Our Amphibian reflex is a lifelong postural reflex, which essentially means that the movement pattern continues to remain active into adulthood. As an infant, this reflex follows on the emergence and development of the ATNR and Spinal Galant reflexes, typically around 4 to 6 months. 

This reflex begins with a stimulus when the hip flexes, with the knee bending on the same side of the body. Coordinated movement between the hips and knees appears both in prone and supine positions, seen when an infant grabs their feet in happy baby or commando, or army crawls before learning to push up on all-fours. The reflex plays a critical role in building upon our understanding of upper and lower body, and with development helps the hip and knees to function independently.

Amphibian is part of a whole-body movement system that contributes to our lifelong gross motor skills, helping us to walk, climb stairs and develop an efficient gait. The reflex supports upright posture, balance and stabilization as an infant continues to develop, moving from all-fours to standing on two legs. 

The Amphibian reflex is reliant on the emergence and integration of several primitive reflexes that establish a sense of our body’s two hemispheres, allowing us to gain further control of our movement as we explore the world around us. As such, immature reflexes preceding this reflex often result in an underdeveloped or sometimes absent Amphibian reflex. This may appear as stiff legs, tense or hypertonic movement and increased clumsiness.