How to Tell if Your Child is Highly Sensitive​

One population of students I particularly enjoy working with and specialize in is highly sensitive students. What does highly sensitive mean? According to Dr. Elaine Aron, a psychologist who has been studying sensitivity for more than 20 years and coined the term highly sensitive, it means being “one of the fifteen to twenty percent of children born with a nervous system that is highly aware and quick to react to everything.

This makes them quick to grasp subtle changes, prefer to reflect deeply before acting, and generally behave conscientiously. They are also easily overwhelmed by high levels of stimulation, sudden changes, and the emotional distress of others.” This is isn't always easy for highly sensitive children, especially when the adults in their lives don’t understand their orientation to the world. I can help these children see their sensitivity as a gift and discover ways to make life easier.

Mindfulness, meditation, energy work, reflection, and dream work are especially effective with these students and these are tools I use when working with them. So how do you know if your child is highly sensitive? Dr. Aron has a quick quiz and you can learn more at her website. I also recommend reading her book The Highly Sensitive Child.

Highly sensitive children grow up to be highly sensitive adults. I know; I am one. And it is one of my passions to help these children better navigate life so they can thrive as children and adults. If this topic resonates, I would be happy to talk with you about it and find out if coaching would be a good match for your child.​