The sensitive child

[FattyAcid]

A friend mentioned to me that one of her children is more sensitive than the others.

I am wondering what kind of view other people would have about a child described as "sensitive".

I'd want to know more, rather than judging. It is a recognised issue, with books and research and everything, but it is also used by parents as a term for children that react strongly to situations and concepts that make them anxious.
Also for children who are overly-dramatic and over-indulged.
So I'd want to find out more about that particular child to understand what the parent was meaning when she used the term.

I wouldn't think much of anything, OP.

I don't feel too happy with some of the books & related discussions about the hyper-sensitive child. You can't help but wonder if, at least sometimes, if it's a case of "helicopter and over-anxious parent with rigid and unrealistic expectations" rather than truly unusual child.

Many ordinary people are quite sensitive in different ways, and to different things.

In this instance my friend was expressing that one of her three is much more of a worrier than the others and takes things to heart more.

My understanding is that a sensitive child is more easily upset but am interested to hear what others think when this expression is used.

its crap

it's a child

and they come in all shapes and sizes with all different personalities

and no it doesn't need a label in order to deal with it - some kids are worriers, some are pessimists, some are optimists, some are super-confident - most are all things in different situations

agree with previous posters it's a term for over-anxious helicopter parents who want a diagnosis

some parents are never content until they get a diagnostic label for their perfectly wonderfully normal child

In one of my dc's case it means that we have to stick to our routines fairly carefully over the day and day in and day out. Otherwise the "wheels gradually fall off the bus" and he'll have a whole series of meltdowns for a week or so.
Other 2 aren't like this at all.

For me it means sensitive to sensory things - eg hates loud noise, doesn't like the feel of eg sand on their feet, bright light etc. My dd1 is quite sensitive, we have struggled to take her to the cinema because it is too loud and she hates things like the hoover, blender, hair dryer. She is growing out of it though.

It can also be used to describe the way your friend does though, why not.

now my child is quite sensitive is fine

but "the sensitive child" is a defining label, "the hyper-sensitive child" is a medical-sounding term with no foundation but excuses them for whining or crying

(not disputing that some children / adults with diagnoses like autism can experience sensory input as pain and get easily over-stimulated in a way that needs action)

thanks activate, my thread title was wrong I think - just wonering what describing a child as sensitive means - fromt he answers here it can mean a lot fo very different things!

'not disputing that some children / adults with diagnoses like autism can experience sensory input as pain and get easily over-stimulated in a way that needs action'

My DS is sensitive in some areas linked to tastes, sounds and smells that I can't detect but have an adverse effect on him.

yes exactly I know some children who are sensitive to lunar phases - you can almost map the phases of the moon by their behaviour

god I wish I could edit my posts I want to add that my previous post is purely anecdotal and there is no scientific research that backs it up - but I've experienced it personally and know a lot of people who believe it to be true despite the lack of scientific data to back up the anecdotal evidence