| Dimensions |
Typical Behavioral Indicator |
The Adult… |
The Child… |
| Activity Level refers to the general level of motor activity when one is awake or asleep. Motor activity involves large and small muscle movement like running, jumping, rolling over, holding a crayon, picking up toys. etc. |
High Activity |
has difficulty sitting still. |
is squirmy and active. |
| Low Activity |
sits back quietly and prefers sedentary activities. |
prefers less noise and movement. |
| Distractibility is the ease with which one can be distracted, or, conversely, his level of concentration or focus |
High Distractibility |
has difficulty concentrating, paying attention when engaged in an activity and is easily distracted by sounds or sights during activities. |
is very distracted by discomfort, noticing even small signals of discomfort such as hunger, being sleepy, etc. |
| Low Distractibility |
has a high degree of concentration, pays attention when engaged in an activity and is not easily distracted by sounds or sights during activities. |
can handle discomfort, does not seem very bothered at all. |
| Intensity refers to the energy level of one’s emotional response both positive and negative |
High Intensity |
has strong/intense positive and negative reactions. |
| Low Intensity |
has muted emotional reactions. |
| Regularity relates to the predictability of biological functions such as eating, sleeping, etc. |
Highly Regular |
has predictable appetite, sleep and elimination patterns. |
| Irregular |
has unpredictable appetite, sleep and elimination patterns. |
| Sensitivity describes how sensitive one is to physical stimuli such as light, sound and textures. |
High Sensitivity |
is sensitive to physical stimuli including sounds, tastes, touch and temperature changes; is a picky eater and has difficulty sleeping in a strange bed. |
| Low Sensitivity |
is not sensitive to physical stimuli, including sounds, tastes, touch and temperature changes; can fall asleep anywhere and tries new foods easily. |
| Approachability is one’s initial response to new places, situations, or things |
High Approaching |
eagerly approaches new situations or people. |
| Low Approaching |
is hesitant and resistant when faced with new situations, people or things. |
| Adaptability describes how easily one adjusts to changes and transitions |
High Adaptability |
transitions easily to new activities and situations. |
requires very small amount of time to feel ok in new situations . |
| Low Adaptability |
needs more time for transitioning to new activities or situations. |
child may cry or stay close to caregiver before approaching a new situation. |
| Persistence relates to the length of time one continues in activities in the face of obstacles |
High Persistence |
continues with a task or activity in the face of obstacles and does not get easily frustrated. |
| Low Persistence |
moves on to a new task or activity when faced with obstacles and gets frustrated easily. |
| Mood is one’s tendency to react to the world primarily in a positive or negative way |
Positive Mood |
reacts to the world in a positive way and is generally cheerful. |
| Serious Mood |
reacts to situations in an observant, sometimes more serious way. Tends to be thoughtful about new situations. |
