The Highly Intuitive Child: A Guide to Understanding and Parenting Unusually Sensitive and Empathic Children

Some children can walk into a room and feel “the vibe” instantly in their body. Others may tune into an unspoken family conflict, or tell someone to "be careful" before stumbling into an unknown situation. These may seem to be the normal human qualities of intuition and empathy, but in highly intuitive children (and adults), such traits are supercharged. Growing up in a culture that favors the rational and the five senses can be difficult for gifted children. This book shows parents, teachers, and therapists how to help them — and those around them — embrace and exercise their gift. The Highly Intuitive Child covers a wealth of topics including: how to easily identify the intuitive child; how life is different for them; the 10 skills they must master before leaving home; the connections between neuroscience and intuition; what other cultures can teach us about supporting intuitive children; "indigo" children; success stories; and much more.

Silver medalists, 2010 Independent Book Publishers Association Ben Franklin Awards


“A gentle and insightful approach to parenting children with highly intuitive abilities or sensitivities. There are pearls of wisdom here. Recommended.” – Library Journal

Is Your Child Trying to Tell You Something?

We are all sensitive, intuitive and empathic to one degree or another. But some of us are born more so. The highly intuitive child may pick up on unspoken issues in the home and take on the emotions of friends, absorb the mood in a classroom or in the world at large and even anticipate dangerous situations.
The acutely receptive intuition of these children is always “on,” acting as a sixth sense. Because this emotional and sensory input is added to what they take in through the other five senses it can be difficult to cope with, and their sensitivity can result in
• difficulty turning “off” and falling asleep
• deep fears and anxieties that are hard to relieve
• an exaggerated sense of responsibility about healing people or fixing situations
• psychosomatic pains, “spaciness” and difficulty making decisions
• “acting out” stress they take in as anger or “acting in” the sadness or pain of others as depression.
If you recognize these traits in a child, you can help.

Hearing and Helping the Sensitive Child
In this practical guide, therapist and mother Catherine Crawford provides the tools and insight you need to recognize and honor the gifts of the intuitive child in your life while minimizing the challenges that come with them. These include
• 20 questions for identifying highly intuitive children
• 10 teachable skills that reduce or prevent sensory overload
• techniques for reducing stress through diet, exercise, art, play and visualization
• guidance on how and when to seek professional help
You will also find inspiring stories of the intuitive child’s journey into adulthood and insights into how cultures around the world embrace the gifts of empathy and intuition. Most importantly, The Highly Intuitive Child gives you what you need right now – ways to understand, nurture and celebrate the richness and complexity of your unique child.