Sensitivity refers to how easily you are disturbed by changes in the environment. It is also referred to as Sensory Threshold or threshold of responsiveness. If you are sensitive you may be distracted by a door slamming and will not be able to maintain focus. Whereas those who tend not to be sensitive to external noises are able to maintain their focus.

Do you get bothered by external stimuli in the environment, eg noises, textures, lights, etc. or do you just seem not to be bothered by them at all and simply ignore them?

SENSITIVITY

          Nonreactive___________________________________________Sensitive

Tips for Managing the Extremes

For the those with high sensitivity:

• Acknowledge their feelings and provide ways for them to make themselves more comfortable.
• Layer clothes to allow for adjustments on days that are too warm or too cold.
• Avoid overstimulation, e.g., loud music, strobe lights, noisy groups of people.

For someone with low sensitivity:

• Notice external cues by paying attention to sounds in the environment, odors, and changes in the colors of stoplights leaves etc. Use mindfulness techniques.
• Become aware of interpersonal cues, such as facial expressions, body language, personal space.

Reference: Wikipedia

Photocredit: Nevin Taylor 2008

The amount of physical energy in the person. Someone with high energy may have difficulty sitting still, whereas one low energy can handle a very structured environment. The former may use his or her gross motor skills more frequently, such as sport or active jobs. Conversely, someone with a lower activity level may rely more on fine motor skills, such as drawing and putting puzzles together. This trait can also refer to mental activity, such as deep thinking or reading, activities which become more significant as the person matures.

Do you have to be constantly moving or doing something or do you have a relaxing approach?

ACTIVITY LEVEL

          High/Active___________________________________________Low/Inactive

Tips for Managing the Extremes

For those with very high energy:

• Heed the signals that indicate it’s time to blow off steam and find a way to do so.

• Incorporate some active time during the day. Walk instead of driving, or stop at the park/gym on the way to some other less likable activity.

• Avoid confinement, find other active things to do.

For the someone with very low energy:

• Allow enough time for tasks and activities.

• Use a timer to set a goal for when a chore should be finished.

• Reward yourself for sticking with a project and completing it in a timely fashion.

Reference: Wikipedia

Photocredit: Nevin Taylor 2008

Temperament

In this series of articles we will explore the 9 characteristics of temperament, and provide a way of rating yourself on each characteristics and look at ways to manage the extremes of those characteristics.

Temperament is thought to be genetically based. The combination of temperament and our environment leads to formation of our personalities. Temperamental traits are thought to persist into adulthood. It is useful to know about these traits as they may give us some insight into our behaviours as well as those around us.

The New York Longitudinal Study by Thomas and Chess focused on how temperamental qualities influence adjustment throughout life. Young infants were rated on nine temperament characteristics. Each by itself, or in connection to another affects how well a child fits in at school, with their friends, and at home.

Behaviors for each of these traits are on a continuum. A child can lean towards the high or low end of the scale and while this is typical, it could also be a cause for concern.

The specific behaviors are listed below with a Visual Analog Scale for rating your temperamental characteristics.

Nine Temperament Characteristics or Traits

ACTIVITY LEVEL

The amount of physical energy in the person. Do they have to be constantly moving or do they have a relaxing approach?

REGULARITY LEVEL

This is also known as Rhythmicity and refers to the level of predictability in biological functions such as waking, becoming tired, hunger and bowel movements.

INITIAL REACTION

This is also known as Approach or Withdrawal. This refers to how you respond to new people or environments either positive or negative.

ADAPTABILITY

Adaptability refers to how long it takes to adjust to change. This is different from the Initial Reaction. Adaptability refers to the long term adjustment made after the first reaction to the new situation.

INTENSITY

Intensity refers to the energy level of a positive or negative response.

MOOD

Mood refers to the general tendency towards a happy or unhappy demeanor. Everyone has a variety of emotions and reactions that are the opposite of each other such as cheerful and stormy, happy and unhappy. Each person biologically tends have generally positive or negative mood.

DISTRACTIBILITY

Distractibility refers to the tendency to be sidetracked by other things going on around you.

PERSISTENCE & ATTENTION SPAN

Persistence & Attention Span refers to the ability to stay with a task through frustrations and the length of time on the task.

SENSITIVITY

Sensitivity refers to how easily you are disturbed by changes in their environment. It is also referred to as Sensory Threshold or threshold of responsiveness.