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You hear the term highly sensitive or highly sensitive more and more. Yet the term still evokes a lot of confusion for some people. Not everyone knows that high sensitivity is a trait, as it were. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to incorrect ‘labelling’. A sensitive child is then seen as being shy, scared, picky or socially awkward.
In this article I would like to zoom in on the term high sensitivity. By learning more about this, you as a parent can also better understand why your child behaves the way he does. And I want to give you tips on how to deal with your highly sensitive child.
According to Dr. Elaine Aron, one of the pioneers in studying high sensitivity, “the highly sensitive person (HSP) has a sensitive nervous system. They are more aware of small details in their environment and are more easily overwhelmed in a very stimulating environment.”
A highly sensitive person experiences feelings and situations very intensely. For example, a highly sensitive child notices more things in his environment and is easily overwhelmed partly because of this. A sensitive person reflects on things mindfully before acting. A highly sensitive person is perceptive, cautious and easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli (such as bright light, smells and loud noises).
Highly sensitive people perceive emotions and feelings of others around them very strongly. They absorb these feelings easily, which can cause strong emotional reactions. Due to the fact that highly sensitive children and adults feel and process experiences and emotions more deeply, ‘downtime’ is very important. They need to isolate themselves more often so that the environment does not overwhelm them and to prevent overstimulation. These me-time moments are really necessary to recharge.
It is important to understand that high sensitivity in your child can pose a greater challenge for you as a parent. After all, highly sensitive children experience and feel more intensely. This can cause overstimulation, which can result in emotional outbursts. These ‘meltdowns’ usually occur in the home situation with those with whom they feel safest and love the most, their parents.
Their sensitivity can reduce their tolerance to how certain clothes feel, the smells in an environment, loud noises and so on. This sensitivity to sensory input can often affect their enjoyment of daily activities.
Their cautious, perceptive nature often makes them less willing to try new things. A highly sensitive child will not always go with the flow, but it is so important to remember that they are not intentionally obstructive.
Highly sensitive children can more easily burst into tears because of a world that overwhelms them daily with a lot of information, a lot of stimuli.
Highly sensitive people may not seem to fit society’s idea of “strong personality,” but when they are raised in a loving and encouraging environment, they can be seen develop into intellectual, creative, and thoughtful personalities. Who can be both a best friend and a leader.
High sensitivity is a biological trait. It is NOT a condition, or diagnosis, therefore medical treatment is not necessary. Highly sensitive children will thrive best in a supportive environment of loving parents who have acceptance, education, and understanding of high sensitivity.
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