Supporting the Highly Sensitive Child: Making Sense of Meltdowns

by James Williams, Lucy Skye, Lisa Nel (Foreword)

Meltdowns can be overwhelming for a child — and for the adults trying to support them. In this short, practical guide, James Williams explains why sensitive children are more prone to meltdowns and provides strategies for prevention, calming, and recovery. Compassionate and accessible, it offers reassurance for parents and tools for navigating one of the biggest daily challenges families face.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

53 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2017

About the author

James Williams is a BACP-registered integrative counsellor and the author of bestselling guides on high sensitivity, with more than 50,000 copies sold worldwide.

Inspired by his own daughter’s sensitivity, James began writing to make the science of high sensitivity simple and accessible for parents, teachers, and carers. His first book, Understanding the Highly Sensitive Child, with a foreword by Dr. Elaine Aron, quickly became a go-to introduction for families and professionals. He has since written companion guides including Supporting the Highly Sensitive Child: Making Sense of Meltdowns and Understanding the Highly Sensitive Person, along with the children’s story Annie’s World: There are Rainbows in the Sand.

James’s writing is known for its clarity, compassion, and practicality. His work continues through counselling, writing, and his latest project, MyHSC.ai, a digital support resource for parents of highly sensitive children.

Reviews

[Colleen Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary for helping your sensitive child

This is a very good book and helps you recognize when you need to take more care of yourself and control your own emotions when working with your sensitive child. The strategies mentioned in this book for handling meltdowns are very helpful.

[Antonio Gschwender · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as useful as the first one

Not as useful as the first one, which is a must. This one did not provide me much useful information. Actually, the only good thing I can highlight is that it is a very short book.

[Jenna Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tools for working with your HS child

Great tools for working with your HS child. Already implemented some of the tools in this book and I’m seeing a huge improvement.

[angie teece · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

Interesting read wanting to get some information so I could understand a family member and support them when needed . A must read

[Carolyn H-M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful insight into the brain of a super-intense kiddo.

[shlomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and to the point!

Good resource from 1st hand . Would recommend to my other family members.
Thank you for writing this book!
ST

[Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous helpful book, will repeatedly pick it up during my childrens lives

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helped a little but not as much as I wanted it to tell me

[Israa Amr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and its prequel, I have a highly sensitive son myself and this book helped me a lot! I've read Elian Aron's highly sensitive child book but I found that this book is more practical and straight to the point! I've purchased both books in both paper back and kindle editions so I can have them with me wherever I go, and I've recommended them to many friends. If you have a highly sensitive child this is the book for you!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say 3.5. It was encouraging to read scenarios that sound so similar to those taking place in our home. It was encouraging to remember that when my tank is empty, then I cannot properly care for my child[ren]. It was encouraging to remember that everyone gets it wrong as we journey toward a household of patience and compassion. However, it was almost too short. I would prefer a deeper dive into more methods/options for helping a child in the midst of a meltdown, especially younger ones who can't reason/talk through things well.