Highly Sensitive Child Test

1. My child can cry or get upset from emotional movies, books, or stories.

2. My child avoids or dislikes crowded settings because they feel “too much.”

3. My child is strongly affected by subtle differences in how people treat them (e.g., slight warmth vs. coldness).

4. My child gets upset by strong flavors (spicy, sour, minty) more than other children do.

5. My child reflects on big questions (e.g., fairness, meaning, right and wrong) more than expected for their age.

6. My child is strongly affected by a harsh tone of voice, even without harsh words.

7. My child asks thoughtful follow-up questions after hearing a story or explanation.

8. My child covers their ears or asks for sounds to be turned down more than other kids.

9. My child avoids certain foods because of texture (mushy, crunchy, slimy) more than taste.

10. My child notices small sensory details that others miss (faint smells, distant sounds, tiny changes in lighting).

11. My child is bothered by scratchy or tight clothing (tags, seams, certain fabrics).

12. My child seems to read between the lines in conversations (tone, hints, implied meaning).

13. My child needs extra time to get comfortable in new situations because they are taking everything in.

14. My child gets emotionally drained after being around upset or stressed people.

15. My child gets nervous or upset when someone nearby is angry, even if it’s not directed at them.

16. My child notices subtle details in nature or surroundings (e.g., sounds, textures, light, small movements).

17. My child notices patterns and connections that others miss.

18. My child is bothered by certain grooming sensations (haircuts, nail trimming, toothbrushing).

19. My child seems distressed by conflict, even when they are not involved.

20. My child is unusually sensitive to pain or minor discomforts (small bumps, tiny scratches).

21. My child worries about whether others are okay or whether they feel left out.

22. My child seems to interpret teasing or joking as hurtful more than other kids do.

23. My child often thinks about something they said or did and analyzes it afterward.

24. My child remembers details from past events that others have forgotten.

25. My child feels emotions very strongly (joy, sadness, anger, excitement).

26. My child tries to comfort others when they are sad or frustrated.

27. When someone gets hurt, my child reacts with strong concern or worry.

28. My child is very aware of subtle rules and expectations in different settings (home, school, relatives’ house).

29. Criticism or being corrected (even gently) affects my child deeply.

30. My child thinks carefully about how their actions might affect others.

31. In busy places (mall, party, classroom), my child gets overwhelmed more quickly than other children.

32. My child is sensitive to subtle emotional shifts in others (e.g., tension, sadness, irritation).

33. My child reacts strongly to temperature changes (too hot/too cold) compared to other children.

34. Small disappointments (like a plan change) can lead to big tears or upset for my child.

35. When there is a lot going on, my child has trouble concentrating because of sensory distractions.

36. My child takes on other people’s emotions (e.g., becomes sad when others are sad).

37. My child likes to think about why things happen, not just what happened.

38. My child startles easily at unexpected sounds (door slamming, dog barking).

39. My child is bothered by water sensations (bath/shower water on face, swimming, hair washing).

40. My child prefers to understand the full instructions before starting a task.

41. My child feels hurt for a long time after a conflict or argument.

42. If someone seems upset, my child notices right away.

43. My child’s mood shifts quickly after stressful events (e.g., a tough day at school).

44. My child dislikes being touched unexpectedly (a sudden hug, hair brushing without warning).

45. My child becomes irritable or upset in noisy rooms even when nothing else is wrong.

46. My child is bothered by smells that others barely notice (perfume, cleaning products, food odors).

47. My child notices small changes in a room (e.g., objects moved, new decorations).

48. My child is bothered by loud or sudden noises (e.g., vacuum, blender, fireworks).

49. My child becomes upset if they think they disappointed an adult (parent/teacher).

50. My child dislikes certain everyday sensations (wet sleeves, dirty hands, sand on skin) and wants them fixed right away.

51. My child seems to “replay” events in their mind, especially ones that felt important.

52. My child apologizes or feels guilty strongly after making a mistake.

53. My child is very sensitive to being excluded or left out.

54. When my child is overwhelmed, their emotions can escalate quickly.

55. My child quickly notices when something feels “off,” even if they can’t explain it at first.

56. My child becomes upset in environments with overlapping sounds (multiple conversations, TV plus talking, cafeteria noise).

57. My child gets distressed by chaotic visual environments (cluttered rooms, lots of movement, crowded screens).

58. After a day with lots of sensory input (travel, event, playdate), my child is more likely to melt down or shut down.

59. My child finds some background noises hard to ignore (buzzing lights, ticking clocks, distant music).

60. After a busy day, my child needs time to process it before moving on.

61. My child needs quiet time after school or outings to recover from sensory stimulation.

62. My child prefers soft, calm environments and may withdraw when things get too loud or bright.

63. My child takes longer than other children to decide because they consider different possibilities.

64. My child complains that lights are too bright (sunlight, store lighting, screens).

65. My child becomes quiet or withdrawn when they are processing strong experiences.