I couldn’t stop saying “fascinating” while listening to Dr. Aimie Apigian’s insights in today’s episode.
If your child is highly sensitive — the kind who struggles with loud noises, bright lights, scratchy tags, unfamiliar textures or food, or who reacts very intensely emotionally — this episode is essential listening.
Dr. Aimie explains:
- The complexities of high sensitivity, both in physiology and behavior
- Why sensitive kids often seem to misbehave, struggle with screens, and may be at higher risk for addictive patterns
- The strengths and gifts of being highly sensitive, balanced alongside practical strategies
- How to support a child’s sensitive nervous system rather than simply trying to “fix” their behavior
- Relevant lab testing and targeted supplement options that can help regulate sensitivity
- Why basic healthy habits like eating nutrient-dense foods (think blueberries) matter — and what to do beyond that
This conversation was eye-opening for me and is likely to prompt meaningful changes at home. I hope it provides the same clarity for you.
Can’t see the video? Watch Inside Your Highly Sensitive Child on YouTube.
No time for the full video? Here are the key notes and takeaways.
Inside Your Highly Sensitive Child
- 0:29 — The host invited Dr. Aimie to expand the conversation about highly sensitive children on the Healthy Parenting Connector.
- 3:58 — Dr. Aimie shares her journey and how she became an expert on the biology of trauma.
- 10:35 — Definition: Highly sensitive people experience sensory input and emotions more intensely than average. This heightened sensitivity can increase vulnerability to addiction, picky eating, and sensory processing challenges.
- 13:40 — Many discussions focus solely on emotional reactivity, but it’s important to also consider what’s happening physiologically in the body.
- 15:45 — Benefits of high sensitivity: creativity, depth of feeling, strong intuition, and other strengths that often accompany heightened sensitivity.
Supporting Highly Sensitive Kids
- 17:35 — The biology of highly sensitive children differs from neurotypical baselines. The question is whether we try to “fix” this or intentionally support and work with it.
- 19:59 — Practical supports: parents can help buffer overwhelming sensory input by addressing basic biological needs such as sleep and stable blood sugar. When these needs are met, transitions and sensory challenges become easier.
- 22:16 — Connection matters. Sensitive children feel disconnection more keenly. Observe and identify triggers, then put supports in place to reduce those stressors and strengthen safety.
Supplements and Biological Imbalances
- 24:17 — Common imbalances linked to heightened sensitivity include deficiencies in zinc and vitamin B6. These nutrients play roles in stabilizing nervous system function.
- 27:48 — Oxidative stress can contribute to long-term health problems; antioxidants like vitamins A, E, and C help counteract oxidative damage.
- 30:02 — Copper imbalance is another common issue. Excess free copper or an imbalanced copper-to-zinc ratio can increase reactivity; moodiness and anger are sometimes linked to this imbalance.
- 33:00 — Methylation differences affect behavior and temperament. “Under-methylators” may be driven and competitive, while “over-methylators” tend to be more artistic and less motivated by conventional school demands.
- 36:35 — Dr. Aimie reflects on signs of sensitivity in her own childhood and describes the deliberate steps she now takes to support her nervous system and prevent depletion.
- 38:54 — If testing reveals nutrient imbalances, Dr. Aimie recommends specific follow-up steps and testing options to address those findings.
- 41:22 — Dr. Aimie offers a 21-day somatic program called the 21-Day Journey, focused on calming the nervous system for adults.
- 43:14 — Highly sensitive children are more likely to feel unsafe in their environment, even with loving caregivers, because they process the world more intensely.
- 44:30 — The episode closes with a single, actionable step parents can take today to support their sensitive child.
Resources Mentioned
- Dr. Aimie’s work and training in trauma, functional and preventive medicine, and addiction medicine
- Her 21-Day Journey program for somatic nervous system practice
- Discussion of common issues like addiction, picky eating, and sensory processing challenges
- Practical posts and resources about improving sleep and maintaining steady blood sugar in children
- Recommendations for nutrient supports commonly used to stabilize nervous system function
- Metabolic testing and professional support options for families addressing biological contributors to sensitivity
Dr. Aimie Apigian, MD, MS, MPH, is a medical expert on how life experiences become embodied and how to restore health through her Biology of Trauma™ model. She is double board-certified in Preventive Medicine and Addiction Medicine and holds certifications in functional medicine, neuro-autoimmunity, nutrition, and genetics for addiction and behavioral health. She is trained in multiple trauma therapies and founded Trauma Healing Accelerated, offering the 21-Day Journey and a training program for practitioners that addresses trauma’s effects on body systems.