The Highly Sensitive Child Test

The highly sensitive child test is a tool designed to help parents understand if their child exhibits characteristics typically associated with high sensitivity. While it cannot diagnose a child as highly sensitive, it can provide valuable insights into their emotional reactivity and how they perceive and respond to their environment.

How to Take the Test

To take the highly sensitive child test, simply answer the following questions as accurately as you can. Use the scale provided, where 1 indicates not at all true, 2 somewhat true, 3 moderately true, and 4 extremely true.

1. My child gets frustrated when they perceive things are not going according to the plan they had in their head.
2. My child shows signs of perfectionism.
3. People say my child is surely an old soul and often they come out with very wise statements as well as ask deep questions.
4. My child seems to be intuitive, and it often feels like they are reading my mind.
5. My child feels all the feels often…sometimes in public (especially in a noisy place), but sometimes they hold it in for all the feels to come out at home.
6. Bedtime can be difficult for my child and is sometimes a time when lots of feelings from the day bubble up or they try to distract in anyway possible.
7. My child really likes to be in control (which often shows up in rigidity) and become very overwhelmed when they feel a lack of control or when there are big changes happening.
8. My child can be really sensitive to pain (in a way that feels more extreme than non sensitive peers or siblings).
9. My child sometimes gets overwhelmed in crowds or situation with a lot of people (even if it’s an environment that they like and get excited about).
10. My child seems to swing from empowered to disempowered states often and quickly. Sometimes it feels like it’s either the best day of their life or the worst day of their life!
11. My child gets territorial over their belongings, especially in response to other siblings and seems to very badly want ownership and control over belongings or space that is “theirs.”
12. My child gets extra stressed around periods of change and transition.
13. My child exceeds in school, uses big words for their age, and has a clever sense of humor. They often ask thoughtful questions or asks lots of thought provoking questions.
14. It feels like my child has way more meltdowns than their peers.
15. I can tell my child is perceiving a lot and picking up on a lot of stimuli in their environments. Sometimes my child becomes very startled especially if there is unexpected sensory input but even by subtle changes or subtle stimuli. This sometimes turns into a tantrum.
16. My child is devastated by any harsh discipline (or strong punishment) and sometimes does not respond well to redirection (even when it feels like it is being offered with warmth).
17. I laugh a lot with my child, and they seem to have a witty sense of humor. Sometimes my child feels in pain by scratchy clothing or clothing tags and wants them to be cut out (or to change clothes).
18. I know my child does better if they have a lot of downtime to unwind (and when I make sure they get one on one time regularly).

Scoring

Add up the numbers corresponding to the questions you answered as true (1), somewhat true (2), moderately true (3), or extremely true (4). If the total score is 22 or higher, your child is likely to qualify as highly sensitive.

Benefits of High Sensitivity

Being highly sensitive can be beneficial in many ways. Highly sensitive children tend to be insightful, in tune with their surroundings, and have a deep sense of empathy and compassion for others. They may also have a gentle nature and an intuitive understanding of the world around them.

Challenges of Highly Sensitive Children

While highly sensitive children can excel in many areas, they may also face challenges in areas such as peer relationships, school适应, and managing their emotions in a complex world.

Next Steps

If you suspect your child is highly sensitive, it is important to seek support from a healthcare professional or a licensed therapist. They can help rule out any underlying physical or psychological conditions and provide guidance on how to support your child's unique needs.

##The highly sensitive child test can be a helpful tool in understanding your child's unique needs and how to support them. Remember that every child is an individual and their needs may vary. By fostering empathy, understanding, and emotional regulation in your sensitive child, you can help them reach their full potential.