Is my child highly sensitive?

How do I know if my child is highly sensitive?

High sensitivity has been studied in children and adults for more than 60 years. It is not a disorder. High sensitivity is simply a character trait shared by 20 percent of the population, which occurs in both men and women. Also, no HSP child is the same.

Do you suspect that your child is highly sensitive ? Then take a look at the checklist below.

What are characteristics of high sensitivity?

• Intense emotional reactions
• Processes experiences deeply (profound questions)
• Very empathetic
• Easily overstimulated
• Sensitive to subtle stimuli

I would like to zoom in on the five characteristics that can occur in an HSP child

Emotionally sensitive

There are intense emotional reactions. Joy, fear, anger and sadness are intensely experienced and experienced. Your child cries easily and his feelings are easily hurt.

Processes deep experiences

Your child overthinks things. Your child thinks further and deeper about all kinds of themes. Teachers may describe your child as “quiet,” “withdrawn,” “timid,” or “shy” (70% of HSP people are introverts). Your child looks mature and asks thoughtful questions.

Very empathetic and caring

Your child shows great concern for others. Your HSP child is conscientious and wants to please the other. Your child is worried, wants to do things very well.

Is easily overstimulated

Your child is more likely to suffer from stimuli, which means that overstimulation is lurking. As a result, your child needs a lot of rest or “down time”.

Sensitive to stimuli

• Sensitive to rough or “itchy” fabrics or labels on clothing while others don’t seem to be bothered by them.
• Avoid or complain about crowded or noisy environments; notices sounds and smells that others barely perceive
• More sensitive to pain than other children
• Picky about food choices; may prefer soft foods or avoid certain textures of food
• Notices details in the environment, including subtle changes in a room or in other people’s clothing
• Picks up on subtle social cues: unusually aware of others’ moods, body language, expressions
• Careful with new situations
• Hesitant and distant in new situations and new environments
• Often overwhelmed in complex social situations
• Slow transition to a new activity
• Doesn’t like surprises
• Shy and hesitant in front of strangers
• Happy to play alone or spend a long time alone in their room

Have I made sure that my child is highly sensitive?

High sensitivity is a biological trait. You pass this trait on genetically to your child. Raising your child therefore has no influence on the degree of high sensitivity.

If high sensitivity is genetically determined, does this mean that at least one parent is highly sensitive?

Although high sensitivity is an inherited trait, this does not mean that it has to come directly from a parent. You often see that one of the parents is highly sensitive, but it can also be inherited from a close relative in the family tree. If your child is highly sensitive, make sure you read information about how to deal with your sensitive child.

Is high sensitivity more common in women?

Dr. Elaine Aron claims that: “The trait is equally common in men and women.” Unfortunately, in today’s society, expressing emotion and sensitivity is a much more acceptable behavior for a girl than a boy.

Teaching boys to be ‘tough’ and emotionally self-directed is the norm. They are encouraged, or learn themselves through negative experiences, to hide their sensitive side, while girls can embrace it. Unfortunately, these expectations tell that highly sensitive boys behave in a way that is directly contrary to their highly sensitive trait.

This is where supportive and effective parenting is important. Parents, especially fathers, need to take the time to understand and accept their sensitive boys in their sensitivity.

Are all hsp kids introverts?

Every highly sensitive child is unique. Some HSP children are extroverts. Some are introverts. A highly sensitive child can react to too many stimuli with tantrums, while another can close off and withdraw. Some HSP children are more sensitive to new situations and people, while others are more emotionally sensitive.

More interesting articles

• Is my child highly sensitive or does there have a sensory information processing problem?
• High sensitivity in boys
• What is a meltdown?

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