Welcome! This Yahoo group is for parents of Highly Sensitive Children (HSCs), as defined by Dr. Elaine Aron. Our group is a caring community of parents who support each other through the joys and challenges of raising our HSCs.

According to Dr. Aron, “a highly sensitive child (HSC) is one of the fifteen to twenty percent of children born with a nervous system that is highly aware and quick to react to everything. This makes them quick to grasp subtle changes, prefer to reflect deeply before acting, and generally behave conscientiously. They are also easily overwhelmed by high levels of stimulation, sudden changes, and the emotional distress of others. Because children are a blend of a number of temperament traits, some HSCs are fairly difficult--active, emotionally intense, demanding, and persistent--while others are calm, turned inward, and almost too easy to raise except when they are expected to join a group of children they do not know. But outspoken and fussy or reserved and obedient, all HSCs are sensitive to their emotional and physical environment.”

If you are unsure whether your child is highly sensitive, please read through Dr. Aron’s book and/or visit her website (www.hsperson.com) to take an online questionnaire.

In order to be considered for membership, we expect you:

1. to be the parent/guardian of an HSC, or have a close relationship with one (e.g. relative or caregiver).

2. to have read Dr. Aron’s book and understand the temperament characteristics of an HSC.

3. to be willing to share your experiences and support other members in raising their HSCs.

If your child seems to be sensitive, but may be better described as having a challenge such as autism, another support group may be a better fit.

Thank you!
from the moderators: Amanda, Marsha and Nicole