The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them

by Elaine N. Aron

Book Overview

A groundbreaking parenting guidebook addressing the trait of "high sensitivity" in children, from the psychologist and bestselling author of The Highly Sensitive Person whose books have sold more than 1 million copies

With the publication of The Highly Sensitive Person, pioneering psychotherapist Dr. Elaine Aron became the first person to identify the inborn trait of "high sensitivity" and to show how it affects the lives of those who possess it. In The Highly Sensitive Child, Dr. Aron shifts her focus to the 15 to 20 percent of children who are born highly sensitive--deeply reflective, sensitive to the subtle, and easily overwhelmed. These qualities can make for smart, conscientious, creative children, but also may result in shyness, fussiness, or acting out. As Dr. Aron shows in The Highly Sensitive Child, if your child seems overly inhibited, particular, or you worry that they may have a neurodevelopmental disorder, such as ADHD or autism, they may simply be highly sensitive. And raised with proper understanding and care, highly sensitive children can grow up to be happy, healthy, well-adjusted adults.

Rooted in Dr. Aron's years of experience working with highly sensitive children and their families, as well as in her original research on child temperament, The Highly Sensitive Child explores the challenges of raising an HSC; the four keys to successfully parenting an HSC; how to help HSCs thrive in a not-so-sensitive world; and how to make school and friendships enjoyable. With chapters addressing the needs of specific age groups, from newborns to teens, The Highly Sensitive Child is the ultimate resource for parents, teachers, and the sensitive children in their lives.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767908724
• ISBN13: 9780767908726
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Harmony/Rodale/Convergent
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Enriching

I purchased this book, hoping to learn more about my 8-year old child's behavior traits so that I could commingle our characteristics and avoid damaging his spirit when I criticize or discipline-not to pamper but to nurture. This book did just that, plus more. The Highly Sensitive Child : Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them is a very good read. It provides a lot of information about how highly-sensitive people react to certain stimuli and suggestions for different situations. It's educational and entertaining and the author's prose is straightforward. I selected this book from the many others on similar topics simply because the title hit home. It struck a cord and I knew this was it. I was right. Not only was I reading about my child, I discovered that I am an HSP as well. I was not aware of the term "highly sensitive" until now. I plan to read more on the subject and keep this book around for my child to use later on in life. I now feel that we are in a win-win position for the long term.Thank you, Dr. Elaine Aron, for writing this book and for sharing your personal experience on this subject.

A relief!

It's not ADD, not social anxiety disorder. My child is not deficient but different, a minority not as yet recognized or understood. This book is practical, having short chapters for different age groups with lists of tips. When my child has to go into a social situation, I review the list of how to prepare her for dealing with the situation working from her mix of feelings.The book also gives the positive aspects of this personality trait, something I never realized since I was focused on the problems. Also gives tips for finding good teachers and working with teachers to promote your child's success.

Excellent book, with great advice

When a therapist friend suggested we read this book to help out our struggling 8 year old, we never knew that it would be such a perfect fit, provide such helpful information and provide us with a lot of comfort. If your normally bright child seems frequently overwhelmed and it's beginning to hurt their self esteem, turn to this book and see if it fits. If it does, its a resource you will be thankful you found, as will your child.