The asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (atnr) was elicited in 84 normal children aged between three and nine years. The children were positioned on all‐fours and the head was placed first in the mid‐line, then rotated to the right and finally to the left; the positions of the ipsilateral and contralateral elbows were then measured with a goniometer.
The atnr was demonstrated in all the children and showed no systematic change with increasing age. When instructed to do so, the children in all age‐groups were able to lessen the amount of reflex movement, but not to eliminate it completely. Some tentative norms for the physical examination of the atnr in children are provided.
