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Understanding the Highly Sensitive Child: Seeing an Overwhelming World through Their Eyes
What does it mean to be a highly sensitive child? With warmth and clarity, James Williams guides parents and teachers into the inner world of children who experience life more deeply. This concise book, with a foreword by Dr. Elaine Aron, offers insight, understanding, and practical strategies to help sensitive children thrive at home and at school.
37 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2014
94 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
James Williams
4 books11 followersJames Williams is a BACP-registered integrative counsellor and the author of bestselling guides on high sensitivity, with more than 50,000 copies sold worldwide.
Inspired by his own daughter’s sensitivity, James began writing to make the science of high sensitivity simple and accessible for parents, teachers, and carers. His first book, Understanding the Highly Sensitive Child, with a foreword by Dr. Elaine Aron, quickly became a go-to introduction for families and professionals. He has since written companion guides including Supporting the Highly Sensitive Child: Making Sense of Meltdowns and Understanding the Highly Sensitive Person, along with the children’s story Annie’s World: There are Rainbows in the Sand.
James’s writing is known for its clarity, compassion, and practicality. His work continues through counselling, writing, and his latest project, MyHSC.ai, a digital support resource for parents of highly sensitive children.
Inspired by his own daughter’s sensitivity, James began writing to make the science of high sensitivity simple and accessible for parents, teachers, and carers. His first book, Understanding the Highly Sensitive Child, with a foreword by Dr. Elaine Aron, quickly became a go-to introduction for families and professionals. He has since written companion guides including Supporting the Highly Sensitive Child: Making Sense of Meltdowns and Understanding the Highly Sensitive Person, along with the children’s story Annie’s World: There are Rainbows in the Sand.
James’s writing is known for its clarity, compassion, and practicality. His work continues through counselling, writing, and his latest project, MyHSC.ai, a digital support resource for parents of highly sensitive children.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 11, 2014
For those who haven’t heard of the personality trait Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) – and up until a couple of weeks ago I was in that group – Jamie Williamson has done us all a great service by writing Understanding the Highly Sensitive Child.
Through my nascent research into HSP I’m rapidly discovering more and more answers to why I react the way I do to certain situations. And as a new parent I have a new understanding of what the highly sensitive child goes through and feel more confident should my young son exhibit signs of high sensitivity as he gets older.
Mr. Williamson makes clear early on that he is not a psychologist or academic, but his passion for the topic and his clear desire to understand how to help highly sensitive children is to be commended.
This is a quick and valuable read and I look forward to following Mr. Williamson’s work in this area. I highly recommend this book to any parent who thinks their child may have a highly sensitive personality.
Through my nascent research into HSP I’m rapidly discovering more and more answers to why I react the way I do to certain situations. And as a new parent I have a new understanding of what the highly sensitive child goes through and feel more confident should my young son exhibit signs of high sensitivity as he gets older.
Mr. Williamson makes clear early on that he is not a psychologist or academic, but his passion for the topic and his clear desire to understand how to help highly sensitive children is to be commended.
This is a quick and valuable read and I look forward to following Mr. Williamson’s work in this area. I highly recommend this book to any parent who thinks their child may have a highly sensitive personality.
March 21, 2016
This is a great one hour read. It's short, concise, and easy to understand. Great example of the difference in internal processing of a highly sensitive child compared to a non highly sensitive child. It opened my eyes!
So thankful for this enlightening.
So thankful for this enlightening.
November 3, 2016
A nice easy read. Definitely defines me to a tee and both of my children & in some ways my husband. definitely recommend for someone who is not familiar with people who are highly sensitive.
August 10, 2022
“Once you know the tune exists, and you listen for it carefully, you’ll find it’s beautiful, moving, powerful music“. James Williams.
Well done, author. This book definitely deserves five stars. It’s truthfully accurate, with wonderful examples to which I can relate, round stories that make me feel empathy towards the kids, and a very simple approach that covers what highly sensitive people like me are about. It’s understandable and kind, and the vocabulary used is like a soft blanket –delightful to experience and be around. And the top of the cake is the brevity. This one is a very good shortie that is structured well enough to maintain the attention of the reader through every page. The examples are snippets of what many HSPs feel when at parties, going to the supermarket or during a day spent in a cafeteria. I read every chapter in less than 50 minutes, and I’m going to recommend it to be read by my sensitive friends. Congrats! I’m mentally clapping my hands for having found a book as straightforward as this one, that explains high sensitivity in an approachable way without beating around the bush.
And, oh, yes, Arthur and the other children seem people I’d like to meet. Thanks for creating a book that makes highly sensitive people feel at home.
Well done, author. This book definitely deserves five stars. It’s truthfully accurate, with wonderful examples to which I can relate, round stories that make me feel empathy towards the kids, and a very simple approach that covers what highly sensitive people like me are about. It’s understandable and kind, and the vocabulary used is like a soft blanket –delightful to experience and be around. And the top of the cake is the brevity. This one is a very good shortie that is structured well enough to maintain the attention of the reader through every page. The examples are snippets of what many HSPs feel when at parties, going to the supermarket or during a day spent in a cafeteria. I read every chapter in less than 50 minutes, and I’m going to recommend it to be read by my sensitive friends. Congrats! I’m mentally clapping my hands for having found a book as straightforward as this one, that explains high sensitivity in an approachable way without beating around the bush.
And, oh, yes, Arthur and the other children seem people I’d like to meet. Thanks for creating a book that makes highly sensitive people feel at home.
November 14, 2019
Affirming read
This book brought lots of observations together and helped me better understand my child. It has consolidated what I have learned from him rather than taught me something new but as it's such a concise, helpful guide that I will be sharing it with his family and school as it gives an insight into my son's mind. I would have liked more practical suggestions on supporting my son and coping strategies I could teach him. The reviews of the second book in this series didn't suggest that what I'm looking for would be covered in that book either. Overall, a great introductory book to being highly sensitive and worth a read!
This book brought lots of observations together and helped me better understand my child. It has consolidated what I have learned from him rather than taught me something new but as it's such a concise, helpful guide that I will be sharing it with his family and school as it gives an insight into my son's mind. I would have liked more practical suggestions on supporting my son and coping strategies I could teach him. The reviews of the second book in this series didn't suggest that what I'm looking for would be covered in that book either. Overall, a great introductory book to being highly sensitive and worth a read!
August 5, 2017
Muy buen libro como introducción ligera para entender qué quiere decir que un niño sea altamente sensible y cómo vive, recibe y comprende el mundo. Lo recomiendo como introducción. Se lee tranquilamente en una hora.
Cabe destacar que sólo es una introducción, no tiene pautas ni estrategias para los padres para saber cómo tratar a un NAS y qué hacer en determinadas situaciones. Creo que para ello es mucho más conveniente el libro "El don de la sensibilidad en la infancia", de Elaine N. Aron. Es una de mis próximas lecturas.
Cabe destacar que sólo es una introducción, no tiene pautas ni estrategias para los padres para saber cómo tratar a un NAS y qué hacer en determinadas situaciones. Creo que para ello es mucho más conveniente el libro "El don de la sensibilidad en la infancia", de Elaine N. Aron. Es una de mis próximas lecturas.
November 8, 2018
Easy, quick, necessary read if you suspect your child is highly sensitive.
I appreciated the fact the book was short, to the point and very easy to read. So often as parents we want all our questions answered at once and immediately. This book helped me understand the world from my highly sensitive child’s perspective and now I understand better why she does the things she does. Easy to follow and now I feel if I want further knowledge on these areas I can dive deeper through other resources.
I appreciated the fact the book was short, to the point and very easy to read. So often as parents we want all our questions answered at once and immediately. This book helped me understand the world from my highly sensitive child’s perspective and now I understand better why she does the things she does. Easy to follow and now I feel if I want further knowledge on these areas I can dive deeper through other resources.
January 4, 2019
Helpful
I love how the book gives examples of different types of children. It’s a quick and helpful picture for parents who want to understand the highly sensitive child, without having to translate or decipher foreign terminology.
I love how the book gives examples of different types of children. It’s a quick and helpful picture for parents who want to understand the highly sensitive child, without having to translate or decipher foreign terminology.
March 26, 2019
A lovely explanation of what a highly sensitive child is, but without practical advice or signposting to next steps. I read it in 15 minutes. Was good but it needs more!
August 17, 2019
Great short read
A wonderful and concise an to shore up and strengthen a parent's shift in perspective to better understand their sensitive child. Readable in under an hour.
A wonderful and concise an to shore up and strengthen a parent's shift in perspective to better understand their sensitive child. Readable in under an hour.
November 18, 2019
Mostly information I already knew but only took me about 1/2 an hour to read.
November 15, 2020
Nicely done introduction to the subject but no more than that.
November 22, 2020
Unfortunately too short, but great introduction into the high sensitivity some people and children may have. Loved it! Thank you
March 9, 2022
very helpful
Helped me to understand with my daughter better. Looking forward reading the next book. Trying to find this book in Russian language, so my parents can read it
Helped me to understand with my daughter better. Looking forward reading the next book. Trying to find this book in Russian language, so my parents can read it
July 15, 2022
Bahasanya sederhana dan mudah dipahami. Pembahasannya dapat memberikan pemahaman lebih untuk mengerti kondisi anak-anak atau orang-orang di sekitar kita.
June 25, 2025
Clear and informative
This was really helpful, the examples given of how the different types of children react to things was really insightful.
This was really helpful, the examples given of how the different types of children react to things was really insightful.
March 24, 2017
Shed some light on the subject and brought a little more understanding tot he trait
February 14, 2023
Que difícil es ser mama , me ayudo a enfocarme en lo importante.
March 5, 2017
I loved this book and its sequel, I have a highly sensitive son myself and this book helped me a lot! I've read Elian Aron's highly sensitive child book but I found that this book is more practical and straight to the point! I've purchased both books in both paper back and kindle editions so I can have them with me wherever I go, and I've recommended them to many friends. If you have a highly sensitive child this is the book for you!
May 23, 2021
Read through a second time in order to annotate to facilitate future referencing.
This book is great as an introductory read or as a refresher. It's not as useful if this is going to be your main resource on the topic.
Chapter 1 is an introduction to what high sensitivity is and what it looks like in children.
Chapters 2, 3, and 4 cover the three main aspects of the experience of highly sensitive children - namely, their keen awareness, intensity of their experiences, and feelings of overwhelm.
Chapter 5 talks about the needs of highly sensitive children.
Chapter 6 discusses the ways in which the difference between highly sensitive children and non-highly sensitive children can be handled.
The author also provides excellent case studies to contrast the experience of highly sensitive children and non-highly sensitive children.
This book is great as an introductory read or as a refresher. It's not as useful if this is going to be your main resource on the topic.
Chapter 1 is an introduction to what high sensitivity is and what it looks like in children.
Chapters 2, 3, and 4 cover the three main aspects of the experience of highly sensitive children - namely, their keen awareness, intensity of their experiences, and feelings of overwhelm.
Chapter 5 talks about the needs of highly sensitive children.
Chapter 6 discusses the ways in which the difference between highly sensitive children and non-highly sensitive children can be handled.
The author also provides excellent case studies to contrast the experience of highly sensitive children and non-highly sensitive children.
March 23, 2017
Vive la difference
Understanding your child helps you to "get" your child. This can be life changing AND life saving. Don't assume your child fits in a box, or can be molded to fit. Read this and have a better relationship with your highly sensitive child. It will certainly help me and hopefully will help you too. Quick but meaningful.
Understanding your child helps you to "get" your child. This can be life changing AND life saving. Don't assume your child fits in a box, or can be molded to fit. Read this and have a better relationship with your highly sensitive child. It will certainly help me and hopefully will help you too. Quick but meaningful.
April 13, 2017
A good book to read for parents who would like to know and understand their children and their friends. Some of the children are likely to be highly sensitive and it is worth while reading this book just to be a little prepared.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews