Exploring High Sensitivity Within the Spectrum
Human cognition exists across a broad spectrum of variation. Neurodiversity recognises that there is no single “typical” way for brains or nervous systems to perceive, process, or respond to the world. Within this spectrum are people with recognised neurotypes such as autism and ADHD, as well as individuals whose nervous systems process sensory and emotional information with greater depth and responsiveness, often described as highly sensitive.
High sensitivity is not a diagnosis. It is a recognised trait present in a small portion of the population and is increasingly understood within broader discussions of neurodiversity, perception, and nervous system functioning.
What Neurodiversity Describes
Neurodiversity refers to natural variation in human neurological development and functioning. Differences may appear in sensory processing, attention, emotional reactivity, communication styles, learning patterns, or relational awareness.
Importantly, not all forms of neurodivergence are captured by diagnostic categories. Many individuals experience heightened sensitivity to sensory, emotional, and relational input without meeting criteria for a formal diagnosis. This pattern of functioning is often referred to in the research literature as Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS).
SPS is understood as a biologically based trait rather than a disorder or deficit.
Where High Sensitivity Fits
High sensitivity is frequently misunderstood as emotional fragility or vulnerability. Research suggests instead that it reflects a nervous system characterised by deeper processing of incoming information and heightened responsivity to salient cues.
Highly sensitive individuals commonly demonstrate:
increased awareness of subtle sensory, emotional, and relational signals
deeper cognitive and emotional processing of experience
stronger responses to overstimulation or rapid environmental change
greater emotional intensity, across both positive and negative states
These characteristics influence how sensitive individuals engage with learning, relationships, stress, and recovery.
An Evolutionary Perspective on Sensitivity
From an evolutionary standpoint, sensitivity appears to serve an adaptive function. Across species, a subset of individuals demonstrates heightened responsiveness to environmental change. This variation supports group survival by enabling early detection of threat, instability, or opportunity.
Developmental researcher W. Thomas Boyce describes sensitivity along a continuum of environmental responsiveness, often illustrated through the metaphor of orchids and dandelions. Dandelions tend to function relatively consistently across a wide range of conditions. Orchids are more affected by environmental quality, but often show particularly strong functioning when conditions are supportive.
Within this framework, sensitivity reflects responsiveness, not weakness.
How High Sensitivity May Present
In children, high sensitivity may appear in ways that are subtle but meaningful. This can include:
discomfort with specific textures, fabrics, or sensory input
overwhelm in noisy, crowded, or visually busy environments
strong emotional responses to perceived injustice or relational strain
heightened empathy and concern for others
difficulty with sudden change or unexpected transitions
a tendency to pause, observe, and reflect before acting
Adults who are highly sensitive may recognise similar patterns over time, often developing strategies to manage sensory load, social demands, or environmental intensity.
The Nervous System and Emotional Reactivity
Research suggests that highly sensitive individuals often show heightened nervous system responsiveness, particularly in regions involved in salience detection and emotional processing, including the amygdala. This can contribute to strong physiological stress responses when environments are unpredictable, overstimulating, or relationally unsafe.
Avoidant or withdrawal behaviours may emerge not because an individual lacks capacity, but because their nervous system is working to remain within tolerable limits. When pacing, recovery, and predictability are available, engagement is more likely to be sustained.
Supporting High Sensitivity Within Neurodiversity
Supporting highly sensitive individuals involves attention to environmental conditions rather than attempts to reduce sensitivity itself. Approaches that prioritise pacing, predictability, and relational attunement are often more effective than those focused on exposure or desensitisation.
Supportive considerations may include:
reducing cumulative sensory load
allowing time for recovery between demands
listening to emotional expression without immediate correction
offering nervous-system–informed supports with consent and care
The aim is not to normalise or diminish sensitivity, but to support sensitive nervous systems to remain connected and engaged.
High sensitivity represents one form of neurodivergent processing within the wider spectrum of human variation. When understood accurately, it contributes depth, perceptual acuity, and relational awareness to individuals and systems alike.
Related Resources
How Highly Sensitive Children Can Teach Us to Pay Attention to What Matters
How to Nurture Highly Sensitive Children: Balancing Sensory Overload and Emotional Growth
Supporting Highly Sensitive Children: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Important Information
This post offers an informational perspective on high sensitivity within the context of neurodiversity. It does not provide clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not a substitute for professional support. The content reflects current understandings of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and related nervous system research, rather than prescribing specific interventions or outcomes.
References
Aron, E. N., & Aron, A. (1997). Sensory-processing sensitivity and its relation to introversion and emotionality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Acevedo, B. P., Aron, E. N., Aron, A., Sangster, M. D., Collins, N., & Brown, L. L. (2014). The highly sensitive brain: An fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’ emotions. Brain and Behavior.
Boyce, W. T., & Ellis, B. J. (2005). Biological sensitivity to context. Development and Psychopathology.
Pluess, M. (2015). Individual differences in environmental sensitivity. Child Development Perspectives.
