# So Erkennst Du Ein Hochsensibles Kind Hsk **Source:** https://loesungs-coaching.de/en-us/so-erkennst-du-ein-hochsensibles-kind-hsk **Language:** English (United States) --- Skip to Content # How to recognize a highly sensitive child HSC Test **Don't feel like reading? Here you can watch the post as a video.** Is your child highly sensitive? Use this test to recognize your highly sensitive child. This post helps you gain clarity and better understand highly sensitive children. For better understanding, the test for highly sensitive children is categorized according to the fundamental traits of high sensitivity. Elaine Aron developed these in her psychological model of high sensitivity. In addition, I am supplementing the test with the categories behavior, empathy, values, and perfectionism to make it easier to compare with your highly sensitive child. ## Diagnosis of high sensitivity – why it does not exist! It is also important for me to add that this test deals with typical characteristics of highly sensitive children. They are not symptoms. Symptoms describe signs of an illness. High sensitivity is merely a personality trait. Therefore, it cannot be diagnosed by a doctor either. Even though many parents wish for a diagnosis because they hope it will bring more consideration and support, for example from teachers or grandparents. You are highly sensitive; you do not have high sensitivity. ## This test is about general, typical characteristics of highly sensitive children These are general, typical signs of high sensitivity in children. The listed characteristics do not take into account age-specific signs. Highly sensitive children often show special traits even in the womb, as well as in infancy. The test also does not differentiate between gender differences and the behavior of extroverted and introverted highly sensitive children. I have also not included characteristics that overlap with the effects of trauma consequences. ## How does the test for highly sensitive children work Before each category you will get a short introduction, followed by the respective characteristics of the category. The test is very comprehensive and asks for 116 traits. I invite you to get a piece of paper and a pen. If a sign applies to your child, you simply make a tally mark. Each sentence after a bullet point represents a trait. At the end, you can count up the tally marks. So – and now let's get started ## The deep processing of information in highly sensitive children The highly sensitive child processes information much deeper than average sensitive children. Their thinking runs parallel on multiple levels. Often HSC, which stands for highly sensitive children, appear very mature in their thinking. They seem very sensible. The danger here is that we thereby overestimate their abilities and assign them responsibilities that ultimately overwhelm them. ## Typical characteristics of highly sensitive children are: ![black 1072366 1920 | High Sensitivity and Trauma – Coaching, Seminars, Training | Highly Sensitive Child](https://www.loesungs-coaching.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/black-1072366_1920.jpg) - They are interested in connections and contexts. - They often ask "what if" questions. - Their statements range from very mature to precocious. - Through their ability to connect concepts, they appear very "wise beyond their years". - Your questions are very profound. - They are very thirsty for knowledge (this does not necessarily show in school subjects). - They can dive very deeply into a topic. - Due to their networked thinking, it usually takes them longer to make a decision. ## The highly sensitive child is strongly receptive even to mild stimuli HSP need only subtle impulses to perceive a stimulus, because certain synapses in them require a smaller trigger to be activated. This heightened perception affects all sensory channels and can even extend into subtle energy perception. ## Highly sensitive children: ### **Touch** - do not like scratchy or wet clothing. - prefer sweatpants or leggings over pants with a waistband. They reject clothing that restricts them, for example around the neck. - are bothered by clothing tags. - do not like touching certain materials, for example wet cotton wool or wool. - avoid clothing made of scratchy material, with wrinkles, sequin decorations, ... - Reject tights in shoes, socks with seams, or shoes that are too small or too tight. - are sensitive to cold or heat. - reject foods because of their texture. ![Test Recognizing Highly Sensitive Children HSC | High Sensitivity and Trauma – Coaching, Seminars, Training | Highly Sensitive Child](https://www.loesungs-coaching.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Test-Hochsensible-Kinder-erkennen-HSK.jpg) ### **Smell** - - Have a keen sense of smell and can be very affected by unpleasant odors. - Refuse food due to its smell. ### **Taste** - have a refined sense of taste, and are often "picky" eaters. - avoid spiced foods. - gag at flavors they absolutely dislike. - are very intuitive eaters. If you don't break them of it. ### **Sight** - avoid harsh or artificial light, for example by using sunglasses or a cap. - Notice the smallest visual impulses, for example, an ant at a distance of four meters. - notice minimal visual changes (for example, in the decor). - find certain colors (usually when they are bright) unpleasant. ### **Hearing** - - avoid noise. - hear 'the fleas cough' with sounds on all frequencies. - reject ticking clocks. - become restless with too many auditory stimuli at the same time. - do not like background noise from television or radio. - have a good ear and feel for music and rhythm. ## The greater susceptibility to overstimulation of the nervous system in highly sensitive children HSC react more quickly to stimuli than average sensitive children. In addition, they perceive more stimuli simultaneously because the brain region for stimulus suppression is less active in HSC. This carries the risk of overload. If the overload is too severe, the highly sensitive child reacts with complete exhaustion, sinks into their thoughts, or is extremely irritable and prone to severe moodiness up to tantrums and fits of rage. ## Highly sensitive children: - are sometimes unresponsive because they drift away mentally (for example, during class). - are quickly flooded by stimuli. - are very easily startled when they are overstimulated. - have difficulty concentrating when overstimulated. - need quiet breaks after kindergarten, school, or activities. - become "prickly" , when their energy level is depleted while playing. - find it difficult to calm down after experiencing something exciting. - get in a bad mood from too much media consumption. - prefer to celebrate their birthday, especially in toddlerhood, with one or just a few other children. - are prone to low blood sugar and then react exhausted or irritable. - have difficulty falling asleep after an eventful day. They may also be prone to night terrors. - are generally heavy sleepers. - are overwhelmed by new, unfamiliar situations if they have not been prepared for them enough. - slow down their pace when they are supposed to hurry. ## Highly sensitive children have a strong emotional world In HSP, emotions are also triggered faster than in average sensitive children. They tend to become curious, angry, anxious, or happy more quickly. They also express their feelings very intensely. ## Highly sensitive children can: - can name feelings very differentiated and precisely from an early age. - get excited quickly and euphorically. - cannot stand surprises or spontaneous changes of plans. - change their moods quickly. - easily feel connected to other children. Average sensitive children need more time for this. - cannot stand overly exciting and scary movies and stories. - Find public exposure and humiliation very difficult to bear. They then withdraw or freak out. - rarely lie, and if they do, it's easy to see. ## Highly sensitive children and empathy The highly sensitive child shows a high degree of empathy. Compassion is one of the great strengths of high sensitivity. They are particularly good at perceiving facial expressions and gestures, and they find it easy to read and listen between the lines. ## Highly sensitive children: - have an eye for how others are doing. - observe the social behavior of other people. - are very helpful. - like to share. - stand up for the vulnerable. - love harmony. - sense whether one is truly turning to them emotionally. - avoid conflicts. - try to mediate and balance in conflicts. - immediately sense tensions and moods. - can suffer from world-weariness at an early age (animal husbandry, environmental pollution...). - suffer when others are treated poorly (e.g., by teachers at school). - are very loving and attentive to animals and plants. - Can have a sixth sense and report about angels, ghosts, energy beings ... ## Highly sensitive children and values HSP are usually very value-oriented from an early age. Ethical and socially correct behavior is important to them. Here too, they often appear precocious, sometimes even lecturing. ## Highly sensitive children: - have a pronounced sense of justice. - stand up for others (usually more than for themselves). - appreciate being treated as equals, even with adults. - Only recognize authority if it is authentic. Otherwise, they tend to go into refusal. - question a lot and resist when something does not seem plausible to them. - Go to the barricades in the face of arbitrariness (for example, with unjustified rule changes). - Deal with the question of meaning at an early age and are often very fond of discussion in the process. - are often moral guardians due to their ethical sense. - value honesty. It is difficult for them to lie. - quickly recognize when they are being lied to or deceived. ## The highly sensitive child and perfectionism Highly sensitive children tend toward perfectionism. In doing so, they often stand in their own way because it stresses them out a lot when they cannot meet their own expectations or those of others. ## The highly sensitive child: - gets stressed when unable to do things and then frequently shuts down or blocks. - has high expectations of themselves, which they often cannot meet. - try to fulfill rules and expectations (e.g., from teachers) and can act very rigidly in the process. - ensures that others follow the rules as well. - is very conscientious when given tasks. - tries to avoid things they cannot do. - tends to let perfectionism turn into pessimism. Then it doesn't trust itself to do things from the start. - tends to "cover up" when they perform a bit worse (e.g., they stop running a race before they lose). - cannot handle criticism well. It lingers for a long time. The child becomes sad, angry, or shuts down. - often cannot handle losing well. - find bad grades very unpleasant. ## How does high sensitivity manifest in children's behavior? The deep processing of information, their strong susceptibility even to slight stimuli, the greater susceptibility of the nervous system to overstimulation and the strong emotional world of highly sensitive children also affect their behavior. For the child to develop well, it is important to take high sensitivity into account and to provide the child with loving spaces for experience where they can show themselves and act according to their nature. ## Highly sensitive children: - observe before entering new situations or trying something out. - have a subtle sense of humor at a very early age. - can completely lose themselves in play and become totally absorbed in their own world. - love music and beauty. - avoid competitive situations. - become restless in crowds (for example, during summer sales). - are creative. - have a vivid imagination. - are sometimes happier with older children than with peers. - tend to have intense dreams. - are very upset when they are reprimanded. - cooperate well when given a friendly request. When faced with strictness or "if-then" threats, they retreat inward, become uncooperative, or put up a fight. - get stressed when they are supposed to do several tasks at once (hanging up a jacket and feeding birds). - are easily disgusted. - have an extensive vocabulary from a very early age. - Express themselves rather "chosen" in relation to average sensitive children. - are very farsighted regarding dangers and correspondingly cautious. - can take pleasure in nature, for example, in a sunset. - like quiet games and activities. - avoid team sports with fast-paced movements. - are initially reserved with strangers. - tends to experience stomachaches, headaches, or nausea during (emotional) stress. - have sensitive skin. - may be prone to allergies. - are sensitive to pain. - are confused by the actions of children their own age. - often feel different from other children. ## Done! The test – How to recognize your highly sensitive child, is now complete. If more than 87 traits apply to your child, it is likely highly sensitive. You will get a lot more information about highly sensitive children in my posts. In my seminars and lectures, you will learn how best to guide and support a highly sensitive child. ![Online course highly sensitive child](https://www.loesungs-coaching.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Ankuendigung-Prozessgruppe-und-HSP-Coach-Online-Instagram-1921-x-1201-px-1024x640.jpg) I would like more information ![E-Book Understanding High Sensitivity by Sandra Quedenbaum, preview on laptop, tablet and smartphone](https://www.loesungs-coaching.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ohne-Titel-Karte-Querformat-900.webp "Hochsensibilität verstehen") To Registration Sign up for my newsletter. As a thank you, you will receive my e-book **or buy it for €9.99.** ## E-Book! **Understanding high sensitivity –** **For a self-determined life** How high sensitivity manifests and how it "originates". ## Here you will find further articles on high sensitivity - Basic Facts - The Highly Sensitive Brain - Highly sensitive individuals in overstimulation - High sensitivity and emotions - What Was Nature Thinking With This? - High sensitivity and adrenaline - Highly sensitive people and chronic stress - What your body does differently - Characteristics of high sensitivity - Current State of Science and Research - 10 strengths of high sensitivity - High sensitivity and evolution - Extroverted (Ambiverted) Highly Sensitive People - HSP Test – High Sensitivity Simply Explained - Should HSPs Come Out? - Highly sensitive children and comparisons - Test – How to recognize a highly sensitive child - Introverted HSPs - Extroverted HSPs - Trauma and High Sensitivity - How HSPs See - HSP and the Sense of Smell - The Highly Sensitive Hearing - How HSPs Think - Scanner Personalities - High Sensation Seeker - High Sensation Seeker or Extroverted HSP - Easier Overstimulation of the Nervous System - Highly Sensitive People and Emotions - Highly Sensitive People and Small Talk - Highly sensitive people and inner dialogues - How HSCs become mentally ill adults - Highly sensitive children and eating - How your highly sensitive child becomes self-confident Manage Consent To provide you with an optimal experience, we use technologies such as cookies to store and/or access device information. 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