8 Traits Of The Highly Sensitive Child

When Dr. Elaine Aron introduced her research on high sensitivity to the world in the late 90’s, millions of people really recognized themselves for the first time. The Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) now had validation for a lifetime of misunderstood traits. And those traits had an intrinsic origin: the Highly Sensitive Child (HSC).

Understandably, HSPs who were learning about their trait for the first time had a lot of processing to do. (Par for the course for HSPs.)

How did this new information explain their current, adult experiences of the world? And how in retrospect did it give perspective to their childhoods?

Even more importantly, how could this revelation help shape their lives going forward?

With the 1997 publication of The Highly Sensitive Personas a benchmark, observation and study of high sensitivity from birth was now possible. And the Highly Sensitive Child could now have even more relevance to both understanding and development of the highly sensitive adult.

What is an HSP?

High sensitivity is a temperament, not a defect. Found in 15–20% of the population, including over 100 other species, this trait is the result of a more responsive and reactive nervous system.