Temperament – Distractibility

DISTRACTIBILITY

 

Distractibility refers to the tendency to be sidetracked by other things going on around you.  Someone who is easily distracted notices everything going on around them and has a hard time returning back to the task at hand. Whereas if you are rarely distracted you have  the ability to stay focused and complete the task at hand.

Are you easily distracted by what is happening in the environment around you or can you concentrate despite the interruptions?

 

DISTRACTIBILITY

               Rarely___________________________________________Easily

 

 

 

Tips for Managing the Extremes

If you are highly distractible:

• Reduce external distractions as much as possible.
• Keep instructions short.
• Use a special cue — gesture or word — to remind them to get back on task.

 

For the person who has low distractibility:

• Cue them when it’s time to move on to something new, e.g., say their name or touch their arm.
• Set a timer to remind them when to move on to the next task or activity.

 

 

Reference: Wikipedia

Photocredit: Nevin Taylor 2008