I quickly noticed that my child was more sensitive to noise and light than the other children around him. I didn’t make much of it during the first two years of his life, since his outbursts were fairly manageable. It wasn’t until he was about two and a half that the situation became intense and difficult to cope with, and that’s when I decided to seek help from a psychologist. Thanks to her, I was able to put a name to what my child was going through: hypersensitivity.
Often dismissed as something that doesn’t exist, or trivialized, hypersensitivity is nevertheless a well-studied and documented concept. It exists and can have a major impact on a child’s well-being (or an adult’s, since hypersensitivity generally stays with us throughout our lives). When I learned that my child was hypersensitive, I understood why he was so sensitive to certain sounds (he hates fire truck, police, and ambulance sirens, even when he hears them from far away) and to light that’s too bright (especially fluorescent lights; he generally tolerates sunlight well). I also understood why he often threw tantrums when he was experiencing strong emotions, facing rejection, or when his environment was too stimulating.
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Before seeing a therapist, I tended to try to calm my child down by downplaying what he was going through. I know, I know—it wasn’t the best idea, but since I’m a very rational person myself, that was my way of reacting to my little one’s tantrums… After a few sessions with the psychologist, I was better equipped and able to respond differently to my child’s behavior. Since parents play such an important role in a child’s life, kindness toward them is essential. If you think your child is hypersensitive like mine, I suggest you try these few tips that were shared with me. Of course, if you can afford it, I also recommend seeing a therapist who can guide you through all these emotions.
Recognizing Your Child’s Emotions
Highly sensitive children feel their emotions intensely but don’t always know how to explain them. One thing that can really help them is learning to recognize their emotions—and their best guide is you!
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Preparing Your Child for Changes
Highly sensitive children sometimes struggle to adapt to change. Here are a few examples of changes that can trigger meltdowns: spending the night somewhere else—at their grandparents’ house, for example—going to a new daycare, meeting new people, and so on. To help your little one, prepare them for the change! Talk to them about what’s coming up and give them space to ask questions if they have any. Sometimes a stuffed animal or comfort blanket can help them calm down, so definitely don’t stop them from bringing that kind of item along!
Accept that your child may take a little longer to get going
A highly sensitive child may take some time to join a group or get started on an activity. This is because they often need to analyze their environment and feel comfortable before taking the plunge. It’s important to give them that space and not rush them.
In any case, remember that the child isn’t intentionally letting their emotions get the best of them… They’re not doing it to annoy their parents! Even though it’s far from easy all the time, you should try to stay calm and be patient with the child. Over the years, many children become less affected by their hypersensitivity, especially when they’ve had good support from their parents from the start.
Do you have a hypersensitive child? What do you do to support them in their day-to-day experiences?