Exploring High Sensitivity Within the Spectrum
Human cognition exists on a wide and beautiful spectrum. Neurodiversity reflects this diversity — acknowledging that there is no single “right” way for a brain or nervous system to function. Within this spectrum are people with recognised neurotypes such as autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences, as well as those whose nervous systems process sensory and emotional information more deeply, often described as highly sensitive.
High sensitivity is not a diagnosis. It is a recognised trait found in a significant portion of the population and sits naturally within broader conversations about neurodiversity, perception, and relational awareness.
What Does Neurodiversity Mean?
Neurodiversity recognises that human brains vary in how they perceive, process, and respond to the world. For neurodivergent individuals, this may involve differences in sensory processing, attention, emotional intensity, communication, or pattern recognition.
Importantly, not everyone within neurodiversity carries a diagnostic label. Many people experience the world with heightened sensitivity — noticing nuance, emotional tone, sensory detail, and relational shifts more acutely. This sensitivity is often referred to as Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) and is a naturally occurring trait rather than a deficit or disorder.
Where High Sensitivity Fits
High sensitivity is often misunderstood as emotional fragility or vulnerability. In reality, it reflects a nervous system that processes information deeply and thoroughly.
Highly sensitive individuals tend to:
notice subtle sensory, emotional, and relational cues
process experiences with greater depth and reflection
respond strongly to overstimulation or rapid change
feel emotions — both pleasant and difficult — with intensity
This depth of processing shapes how sensitive individuals engage with the world, relationships, learning, and stress.
An Evolutionary Perspective: The Canary in the Mine
From an evolutionary lens, sensitivity serves an important role. Across many species, sensitive individuals function as early detectors — noticing shifts in the environment before others do.
Researcher W. Thomas Boyce describes sensitivity along a continuum, often illustrated through the metaphor of dandelions and orchids. Dandelions tend to thrive across a wide range of environments. Orchids, while more affected by their surroundings, often flourish profoundly when supported by the right conditions.
Sensitivity is not weakness — it is responsiveness.
How High Sensitivity May Show Up
In children, high sensitivity can appear in subtle but meaningful ways. You might notice:
discomfort with certain fabrics, labels, or textures
overwhelm in noisy, crowded, or visually busy spaces
strong emotional responses to perceived injustice
deep empathy for others
difficulty with sudden change or unexpected transitions
a tendency to pause, observe, and reflect before engaging
Adults who are highly sensitive may recognise similar patterns in themselves — such as finding bright lights, strong smells, or busy environments draining, and developing strategies over time to manage sensory load.
Is High Sensitivity a Burden?
High sensitivity comes with challenges, particularly in environments that move quickly or value constant stimulation. At the same time, sensitive individuals often experience joy, creativity, connection, and meaning with equal depth.
When supported in environments that honour their nervous systems, highly sensitive children and adults often demonstrate:
strong emotional insight
creativity and imagination
relational attunement
ethical awareness and empathy
Sensitivity does not need to be reduced — it needs to be understood.
The Nervous System and Emotional Reactivity
Highly sensitive individuals often show heightened nervous system responsiveness, particularly in the amygdala — the part of the brain involved in detecting relevance and potential threat. This can contribute to strong stress responses when environments feel overwhelming or unpredictable.
Avoidance behaviours sometimes emerge not because a child is incapable, but because their nervous system is working hard to stay within tolerable limits. Supporting regulation, pacing, and recovery helps sensitive individuals remain engaged without becoming flooded.
Supporting High Sensitivity
Supporting highly sensitive individuals involves creating environments that prioritise safety, connection, and pacing. Approaches that emphasise listening, relational attunement, and nervous system support can be especially helpful.
Some families explore supportive practices such as:
slowing transitions and reducing sensory load
offering predictable rhythms and recovery time
listening to emotional expression without rushing to fix
nervous-system-informed supports delivered with consent and care
The aim is not to change sensitivity, but to support sensitive nervous systems to remain connected rather than overwhelmed.
A Closing Reflection
High sensitivity is not something to grow out of — it is something to grow into. When sensitivity is understood and supported, it becomes a source of depth, integrity, and insight rather than distress.
Within the tapestry of neurodiversity, high sensitivity adds richness and nuance. Honouring it allows individuals — children and adults alike — to engage with the world in ways that are authentic, connected, and sustainable.
