I was recently a guest on the Tilt Parenting Podcast:
If your child seems to be “extra” impacted by things—whether it’s light, noise, pain, or even other people’s emotions—he or she might be highly sensitive. High sensitivity is a genetic trait that affects up to 20% of the population, and is often misunderstood and mistaken for other differences and disorders. What makes it difficult is that when unrecognized and unsupported, highly sensitive children (and adults) tend to exhibit high levels of anxiety, overwhelm, and emotional outbursts, due to their finely tuned nervous systems. But this sensitivity can also be a rich and valuable way to experience the world.