Signs Presented By A Hypersensitive Child & Ways To Deal With A Hypersensitive Child

Handling a hypersensitive or highly sensitive child requires a lot of patience. A child who is hypersensitive is born with a very sensitive nervous system and reacts quickly to the smallest of situations that might not hold any importance to others. Such children think deeply about everything. They also get affected by the emotional distress of others. ⁽¹⁾

Hypersensitive children are either very calm or easy to handle or are very demanding and stubborn. They are hypersensitive to the emotional and physical environment.

The signs of a sensitive child are visible from a very young age. They are seen getting easily distressed or overwhelmed.

The following are the signs presented by a hypersensitive child.

• Empathy

  Hypersensitive children are highly empathetic towards others and place the emotional needs of others before them. Such children take up the emotional pain of others that affects physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

• Overstimulated

  Hypersensitive children are easily stimulated with noise, smell, touch visuals, movements, and taste. It affects them to the extent that it starts affecting their lives.

• They Try To Please Others

  Hypersensitive children always try to please others as they do not want them to get hurt. This can be damaging to them.

• Loners

  Although they are extroverts, talkative, and in love with people but hypersensitive children desire me-time when they can disconnect with the outside world to just be with themselves.

• Dislike Negative Things

  Such children stay always from fights and arguments. They dislike violence and also horror movies.

• Complaint Box

  A hypersensitive child is often seen complaining and whining for even a little problem such as clothing, seams in the socks, or even labels brushing against their skin. They cry over little things. ⁽¹⁾

• Do Not Like Change

  Hypersensitive children do not like change. The slightest change in the room or anywhere would make them uncomfortable.

• Deep Thinkers

  These children think deeply and may raise provoking questions that might amaze us. Along with being deep thinkers, they are also good observers.

• Love Animals

  They have a special affinity towards animals. If they see anyone being cruel with animals, they would get angry.

• Shy By Nature

  Hypersensitive children can be very shy in front of complete strangers. This might also make them underperform.

However, they may open up after getting friendly.

Dealing with a hypersensitive child can get frustrating. It can make the parent’s task more challenging.

There are certain strategies that can help deal with such children.

• Give Them Some Alone Time

  A hypersensitive child needs some time and space of their own to recharge them. It is important for the parents to understand and accept them as they are.

• Show Empathy

  Parents of a hypersensitive child can lose patients and feel frustrated at times. But one needs to understand that they have to keep calm.

  The child may show more startles, emotional flare-ups, hurts, and wailings. Keeping patience and showing empathy would be of help to both the parent as well as the child.

• Acceptance

  Accept the children as they are. Never be apologetic for their behavior. It would make them feel that there is something wrong with their emotions, empathy, sensitiveness, and with the way they feel.

  This may lower their self-esteem.

• Help The Child Overcome Their Fears Slowly

  Never be in a hurry in helping them overcome their fears.

  Go slow. Make the child do something she fears or detests slowly. They should not feel it like a punishment.

• Keep a Pet

  As a hypersensitive child loves pets, you can get one home. This will help calm them down and also give them a company.

• Do Not Go Ahead With Usual Methods Of Discipline

  Disciplining a highly sensitive child should be done differently. The usual method of spanking, yelling might worsen the condition as the child may reply by crying, screaming, and throwing tantrums.

• Talk To The Child When Upset

  If the child is crying, instead of scolding her, try and talk to. Help her find the solution to the problem.

• Help Them Stand Against Bullies

  Hypersensitive children are more at the risk of getting bullied by other children at school or in other places.

  Help them to stand against bullies and teach them to walk in the crowd instead of walking alone.

• Do Not Try To Change Them And Appreciate Them For Who They Are

  Hypersensitive children are born in that way. Appreciate and accept them for the way they are. Do not try to change them.

  They are mostly good at imaginative activities. Make sure you show them some appreciation and encourage them instead of just trying or asking them to change from what they really are.

• Teach Them Relaxing Techniques

  Relaxing activities such as yoga pranayama can be introduced that can help calm them. Art classes or anything that interests them can also be of help.

  Never be hard on a child irrespective of them being hypersensitive or not. See what works best for him/her. This can help them grow into healthy and sensitive individuals.