What do Taye Diggs, Albert Einstein, and Scarlet Johansen have in common? They all share traits with Highly Sensitive People (HSP). We're not name-calling here — a Highly Sensitive Person is a term coined by researchers to describe someone who's more impacted than the average by sensory information — sound, light, hunger, the emotions of people around them. It's estimated that around 20 percent of the population is an HSP.

Highly sensitive children can be really thrown off by a change in plans, overstimulated by a busy environment, or overwhelmed by feelings of hunger. It might seem like your child is being picky, difficult, or unpredictable, but this kind of sensory information that might go unnoticed by other kids can really impact a highly sensitive child.

So, when you start to see certain unwanted behaviors like acting out from a highly sensitive child, it might just be a direct result of that child being overwhelmed or overstimulated.

Highly sensitive kids often grow up to have numerous, significant contributions to the world around them and the relationships they form. And by helping your highly sensitive child learn to cope with their emotions, you'll be able to see them at their best more often. With your help, your child can learn how to manage their sensitivities and better adjust to overwhelming situations.

Here are some tips to help you and your highly sensitive child manage the ups and downs.

Pay attention to meeting physical needs.

For a highly sensitive child having physical needs met is super important. Adequate sleep and regular meals and snacks can be make-or-break. A highly sensitive child experiences more stress than non-sensitive people when hungry or sleepy and is more likely to become overwhelmed when their physical needs are not satisfied. So, try to always keep some snacks on hand and avoid pushing back bedtime.

Teach your child about emotions.

Be sure your child has the right language to talk about their feelings. Children who can express themselves are less likely to act out and more likely to communicate.