Highly Sensitive Children: Is It Anxiety, Neurodivergence or Just Who They Are?

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most misunderstood traits I see in children every single week: high sensitivity.

If your child feels everything deeply - the loud places, the scratchy clothes, the emotional intensity of a birthday party they actually enjoyed - you may have wondered whether it’s anxiety, ADHD, autism, or something you’ve somehow caused. So let’s clear it up.

I explain the difference between high sensitivity, anxiety, and neurodivergence, why they overlap, and how to tell what you’re really looking at.

You’ll learn the five patterns that reliably show up in highly sensitive children, why their nervous system processes the world more deeply, and how this trait can be a profound strength when it’s understood rather than pathologised.

Most importantly, I will give you five practical tools you can start using today.

If you’ve ever been told your child is “too sensitive”, or you’ve quietly wondered whether something is wrong, this episode will help you see what’s actually happening, and what your child truly needs.

Highlights from this episode:

01:21 - Can labels be limiting?

03:13 - Highly sensitive is not a diagnosis

06:26 - 5 signs of high sensitivity

13:41 - Sensitivity versus neurodivergence

19:36 - What you can do right now

26:07 - Sensitivity is a superpower

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☀️ NEW — The Summer Reset. My seven-week summer programme for parents of anxious children (5–16) — whatever sets the worry off: five live group coaching calls + two private 1:1 sessions with me + every tool, all summer. 18 families only, starts 23 July. Details & enrolment: https://stan.store/drmaryhan/p/the-summer-reset

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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