Child Psych Podcast Episode #159
(Inspired by our conversation with Dr. Judith Orloff, author of The Highly Sensitive Rabbit*)
Some children seem to feel everything more deeply — the brightness of the lights, the texture of their clothing, the sadness in someone’s voice. They may cry easily, worry about others, or need extra time alone after a busy day. These children aren’t “too sensitive.” They’re wired differently — and beautifully so.
In our latest episode of The Child Psych Podcast, we welcome Dr. Judith Orloff, psychiatrist, empath, and author of The Highly Sensitive Rabbit, to talk about what it means to raise a highly sensitive or empathic child. Our conversation was such a moving reminder that sensitivity isn’t something to fix — it’s something to understand, nurture, and celebrate.
Understanding Highly Sensitive and Empathic Kids
Dr. Orloff explains that a highly sensitive child experiences the world through heightened senses. They notice the flicker of a light, the hum of a refrigerator, or the tension in a room.
An empathic child, on the other hand, doesn’t just sense emotions — they absorb them. They pick up on other people’s moods, stress, and pain as if it were their own. While empathy is a beautiful gift, it can easily become overwhelming without support and boundaries.
And then there’s anxiety — which can look similar but is different. Some children are anxious without being highly sensitive, while others are both. Knowing which is which helps us respond with the right tools and compassion.
The Gifts Beneath the Sensitivity
When nurtured, sensitive and empathic children bring incredible gifts to the world:
- Deep compassion and intuition
- Creativity, imagination, and connection to nature
- A natural sense of justice and care for animals and the earth
- A profound ability to love
As Dr. Orloff puts it, “These children have quiet hearts that change the world.”
Yet many of them grow up being told to toughen up or stop crying. Those messages can lead to shame, hiding, or self-protection — even though the very traits they’re suppressing are their greatest strengths.
Supporting Your Sensitive Child
- Create calm, predictable spaces
Soften lighting, limit background noise, and create cozy corners for retreat. Highly sensitive children thrive when their environment feels safe. - Model emotional regulation
When you pause, breathe, and center yourself in front of your child, you show them how to manage big feelings. - Teach grounding and boundaries
Encourage your child to take slow breaths, visualize roots in the ground, or say, “I need some quiet time.” These tools give them agency in moments of overwhelm. - Advocate with kindness
If your child is bullied or misunderstood, approach teachers as allies rather than adversaries. Children need to know you’re in their corner — and that the adults around them are too. - Embrace animals and nature
For many sensitive children, animals are powerful co-regulators. As Dr. Orloff notes, “When you can’t feel safe around humans, begin with the animals. That’s fine.”
Modeling Healthy Boundaries
Many parents of sensitive kids are empathic themselves — meaning they also feel things deeply. When our children cry or struggle, we can easily absorb their distress. Learning to take a step back, breathe, and ground yourself teaches your child what emotional containment looks like.
Boundaries are not rejection. They are protection. When we say, “We love you, Grandma, but we need a quiet night at home,” we’re teaching children that self-care and love can coexist.
A Hopeful Message
Dr. Orloff’s new book, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit, tells the story of Aurora, a young rabbit who learns that her sensitivity is a strength, not a flaw. Through the help of her animal friends, she discovers how to center herself, set boundaries, and honor her inner world.
Dr. Orloff’s hope for families is simple yet profound:
“That they learn to love themselves, see what beautiful gifts they have inside, and learn to manage and enjoy them.”
Our sensitive and empathic children may not always fit easily into a noisy world, but perhaps that’s the point. They remind all of us to slow down, listen, and lead with love.
To learn more about Dr. Orloff’s work or her new book The Highly Sensitive Rabbit, visit drjudithorloff.com.
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