The relationship in the brain between movement of the hand and movement of the mouth is well documented. Just think of places in the world where people can't speak without moving their hands. The sensory motor cortices (or cortex for the grammatically simple) have large and closely related areas dealing with the sensory intake and motor output of the hand and mouth. At the base of the left motor cortex is the Broca area in the frontal lobe for moving the mouth for speech, right next door is the hand to mouth coordination.The Grasp Reflex and Babkin Palmomental Reflex are primary reflexes stored in the brain stem. Babkin activates by touch and stretch in the palm and the mouth opens and the mouth moves toward the hand. When I see children with writing issues I usually see a combination of these two reflexes. However handwriting includes more than just hand reflexes and can include differentiation of wrist, elbow and shoulders.
In talks with others in the field, some people combine Babkin and Hand to Mouth Reflexes. Some people combine all types of grasps into the Grasp Reflex. I didn't have much to say except all the relationships of the hand and mouth are complex. But then I had a new experience.
I rarely work with adults in reflex integration for many reasons; the main one being they are harder to deal with. However, a young adult came in to see me with the main issue being compulsive nail biting. I checked Babkin; I checked Grasp. They seemed OK. I was confused. I try a new tact. Maybe elbow bending is the issue with Hands Pulling. A bit retained, but not enough to answer the question. I decide to check Parachute Reflex. Oh my! The client fell toward the wall and caught himself with his hands in the Hanging Grasp. Then it hit me! Nail biting and Hanging Grasp are related if you add the Hand to Mouth Reflex. So Hanging Grasp is not Grasp and Babkin is not Hand to Mouth. I came up with a handy isometric for both of these reflex and we'll see 
how these work for nail biters and kids who still put stuff in the mouth.
how these work for nail biters and kids who still put stuff in the mouth.
2 comments:
Very fascinating information. I too work with reflexes and find what you discussed intriguing! Thank you for sharing.
Any update regarding this post? I have a 3 1/2 year old who constantly sucks his fingers. He has speech and language delay (with echolalia). Wondering if the motor cortex needs work or some reflex training.
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