«Highly sensitive people can be shy and extroverted»
Mrs Huber, what distinguishes highly sensitive children from their peers?
First of all, all children are sensitive at the beginning of their lives. However, some children have neuronal predispositions that make them more sensitive in terms of perception and thinking. Highly sensitive children are much more open to stimuli than others. This also means that the brain takes longer to process all sensory impressions. This can lead to sensory overload. The result: affected children are often more fidgety, more withdrawn and tire more quickly.
How do you experience highly sensitive children in your practice?
They often long for more inner peace (of mind) and are deeply grateful for understanding. For children who are open to stimuli, our fast-paced and constantly stimulating environment is an even greater challenge than it already is for most people. It is particularly stressful for them to orientate themselves, find their bearings and not burn out. Incidentally, it is the same for highly sensitive adults.
There is an opinion that children and young people diagnosed with AD(H)S are actually extroverted highly sensitive people. What is your experience of this?
I cannot say that the hyperactive highly sensitive person is extroverted per se and the hypoactive type only introverted. There are many different manifestations. The variants seem to be as diverse as the people themselves. Many highly sensitive people describe themselves as shy - but in certain situations they are sometimes extroverted. This ambivalence is striking and is often also found in artists.
Distinguishing between ADHD and high sensitivity is not always so easy.
AD(H)S in children is more widely researched than high sensitivity. Research in this area is still in its infancy. In addition, experts are divided on the subject of «high sensitivity». Some recognise its independent existence or at least see it as a partial manifestation of AD(H)S. Others are of the opinion that high sensitivity is just another name for AD(H)S and is tantamount to hype in order to «avoid» an ADHD diagnosis.
Why do parents want to avoid an ADHD diagnosis?
Put simply, a diagnosis of ADHD is often stressful for parents, whereas parents of children labelled as highly sensitive tend to be proud of being able to raise an «exceptional» child. In my experience, however, the educational or academic problems that can arise for those affected by both «diagnoses» are often similar.
«Parents of children labelled as highly sensitive tend to be proud of being able to raise an «exceptional» child.»
You also coach parents and teachers of highly sensitive children and those with ADHD. What advice do you give them?
Parents and teachers should take care not to unconsciously convey that the children concerned have a «problem». What I am trying to say is that if parents and teachers promote the strengths and talents, this gives the highly sensitive child and young person a positive attitude. This strengthens self-esteem and resilience. If, on the other hand, a child receives too much negative feedback or rejection, misbehaviour and failure are cultivated. Highly sensitive children, adolescents and young adults in particular despair at never being able to do things «right».
What tips would you give highly sensitive children and young people?
In my experience, spending time in nature is very beneficial for highly sensitive children and young people. Engaging in creative activities such as music, art or sport - away from the pressure to perform - also promotes physical and mental stability. In this way, highly sensitive people create places of retreat where they can recharge their batteries. However, this does not mean isolating themselves. On the contrary: I recommend maintaining contact with people of the same age in order to strengthen the feeling of belonging. Those affected can also train their ability to concentrate and self-awareness through mindfulness training or Asian martial arts.
