The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When The World Overwhelms Them Paperback – October 8, 2002

I read a blog post by someone who spoke about highly sensitive parents. When I read it, I realized it all fit me so well, so I started looked up this book (which I had heard and seen around before, but didn't pay much mind too) and bought it. I just discovered that I am highly sensitive and have a son who is 2 and is highly sensitive as well. Finding this book helped me feel like someone finally understood me, and what I was going through with my sons behaviors.Since reading this book, I have seen changes in both of us, since I can now recognize when we are getting overstimulated. He has been so much calmer, as I have adjusted his environment so he won't be so overstimulated, and my husband and I have adjusted some of our parenting techniques. I have worked on avoiding being overstimulated myself as well and have seen my daily headaches disappear! So many of my own childhood experiences relate to be a highly sensitive person, and I am excited to help guide him to have some better experiences and coping mechanisms.The term "highly sensitive" seems like a bad thing to be, but the science behind it, left me feeling like it was more of a "super-power" than something to be ashamed of. If any parent out there thinks that their son or daughter is highly sensitive, this is a must read. Highly sensitive people see the world differently and the world sees them differently as well; this book will help give your child the guidance they need so they can navigate the world around them better. This is also a must read for every teacher or caregiver, who at some point will work with a highly sensitive child. If you are a non-sensitive person, this book will help you appreciate those characteristics that may otherwise frustrate or confuse you.

As an HSP myself, reading "The Highly Sensitive Child" offered invigorating insight into the mind and heart of my oldest daughter, who is also highly sensitive. For many years, she and I have butted heads over nearly everything, and after reading this book, I was both humbled and empowered to reach her in a new way.Dr. Elaine Aron's practical tips in each chapter, particularly breaking down the developmental age groups, were refreshing, clear, and easy to implement. My husband and I have been discussing, at length, how we can foster our daughter's gifts in a more meaningful way and reframe her sensitivity as neutral, rather than the perceived "bad" that the world defines it as.My favorite aspect of the book included recognizing how highly sensitive children require lots of rest, breaks, and sleep; that they thrive within a routine and usually need help transitioning with life changes; how to help them cope with verbal or social aggression at school; and ways to facilitate conversation with older children or role play with younger ones. Our daughter was bullied in preschool, and my husband and I approached her teacher, to no avail. Had I read this book beforehand, I would have been able to offer concrete solutions on how to understand and help HSCs with the "teacher tips" at the end of the book.Having read "The Highly Sensitive Person" before "The Highly Sensitive Child," I would "highly" recommend both books, especially if a parent suspects that his/her child may be highly sensitive, as well. Both together offer a full picture into understanding oneself and children who may have been labeled "shy" (which is situational), but who are actually just sensitive.A great read for parents and teachers alike.

I found this book, along the the author’s book The Highly Sensitive Person, to be life-changing. By far the most important self-help books I’ve ever come across. These books explain why my children and I (and others in my life) struggle with certain things, enjoy certain things, and require certain things. Once I understood these concepts, embraced what that meant in my life and the lives of my kids, and began to apply the author’s suggestions, I felt like a new person - not flawed or inadequate, but whole, unique, and free to be exactly the person I was meant to be. Like a friend said, I now understand myself much better and realize why I am the way I am, without looking for excuses.I found this series of books at a time when my toddler son was struggling at school and seemed overwhelmed by life. (Through tears) I did an Internet search for “can a child be too sensitive” and found these books. Wow.I regularly pick up these books when I’m having a tough day, open to a random page, and am reminded of what being a highly sensitive person means. I share copies with anyone in my life - friends, other parents, medical and educational professionals - who I think can benefit from them. I recommend this book to anyone with a child who seems to have a more sensitive disposition than other kids. I really cannot say enough good things about it.

I have a daughter that fits the profile of HSC (i knew that before buying the book), but the book helped me verify that, as well as finding ways of handling her intense sensitivity.To be honest I don't like "labels" on humans, but I think that the issue of sensitivity is an important aspect of humans. It is NOT a one-off discrimination (you are sensitive or not), but it is a matter of how much sensitive you are. In most cases (majority of people/children) this could be addressed through -good- parenting, but there are cases of extreme sensitivity where you should take extra precautions to avoid problems for you and your child.This book is one of the best I have found on the subject and could help you a lot in understanding and treating various situations. It is also good reading in general.Highly recommended for the subject.Extra reminder for the anxious parent: Accept sensitivity but DO NOT let it change/alter YOUR role as parents. (trust me it is quite difficult...). Your child is not different, it is -just- more sensitive...:)))