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Attention span

autismtwo

Been doing a bit of reading on attention span and activity, it takes 15 minutes to get into the flow of a task without any disruption factor.

If you enjoy the task you can sustain focus for about 40 minutes without a rest.

If you do not enjoy the task, a change is as good as rest, walkaway from the job.., look at something in nature for 10-15 minutes then refocus on the task, you will find it will be easy to do second time around, failing that, go back to nature, have a walk under the trees.

  • I am still trying to develop my thoughts regarding attention span and focus. Sensory perception is definately a factor. The ability to direct your focus of attention is part of the puzzle. I can get distacted by noise easily and it makes my functioning so much more difficult. However if I am absorbed in a stimulating task that I can get quite lost in it.

    I find it hard to actually start something. I need to plan it and think it through. Once I am doing something thouhgh I can keep on doing it quite determinedly. On occaisions if I am really motoring I sometimes start 'juggling' things and start numerous tasks. I can only still do one thing at a time though and might turn around and be suprised to remember that I have started something.

  • I can focus on a good book for 4 hours before I lose concentration, but I find it hard  to stop reading and then go back to it again. I can only read in really quiet environments, or I get distracted.

  • Crystal, @ good points Smile,  I agree, I think you have to know yourself and what works for you and do not work in an environment which goes against your grain so to say. But enjoyment and intrisinic feeling do help you focus better.

    Jon, @ I think that with my autismTongue Out, I need a slow and focus without disruption so that I do not feel underpressure or overwhelm. If anything this slower approach makes for a better job long-term/result. The attention span for me, seems to be an ALL OR NOTHING focus. lol Undecided

    I thinks there is three focus levels, snail, turtoise and rabbit, but we are primarily one of three.  

  • Hi - from an nt point of view I think attention spans/activities depend on a number of factors.  Obviously how interested you are in something is a major factor, as is how long you can apply yourself to something that needs doing but isn't particularly enjoyable.  How disruptive is an environment to keeping an attention span?  Also I think as individuals we have what I'd term different "thinking styles".  Some people seem to be multi-taskers, others like to start + finish 1 task before moving onto the next.  Some people like to do part of a task, have a break, do another part of that task, have a break, etc. Some people would put their feet up with a cuppa whilst others would go outside for a short walk. Some people see a lot of detail, others see things in a much more general way.  

  • Thats interesting and makes sense. What are your thoughts on an AS persons attention span compared with that of an NT's?