Which Specialists Should You Consult for an Emotionally Gifted (HPE) Child?

When Your Child Feels Too Much: Understanding HPE

As a parent, you might have noticed that your child picks up on your moods instantly, cries after watching the news, feels overwhelmed in busy classrooms, or seems to carry the weight of the world on their small shoulders. These may be signs of High Emotional Potential—often grouped under the acronym HPE (Haut Potentiel Émotionnel in French). Children with HPE are not just “sensitive”; they have a deeply heightened emotional awareness and often experience emotions far more intensely than their peers.

If you’ve recently heard this label from a teacher or stumbled across it while researching your child’s expressive behavior, you’re likely asking yourself: Who can actually help my child thrive? After all, loving your child is instinctive—but knowing how to guide them through this sometimes overwhelming path isn’t always as obvious.

Let’s explore the professionals who can truly make a difference in your child’s emotional and academic well-being.

Start with a Psychologist Who Understands HPE

Not all child psychologists are equipped to support an emotionally gifted child. HPE demands more than standard behavior checklists; it requires a nuanced understanding of deep empathy, complex emotions, and asynchronous development (when emotions are far more advanced than, say, writing skills).

Seek out a child psychologist or neuropsychologist who specializes in high potential and emotional giftedness. These professionals can:

• Help assess whether your child exhibits characteristics of HPE or other overlapping profiles, like high intellectual potential (HIP).
• Offer tools for emotional regulation, particularly important in school settings where children can feel chronically overstimulated.
• Act as a much-needed ally when working with schools to ensure accommodations or understanding.

If you’re wondering whether an assessment—even an IQ test—would help, consider this deep dive into testing HPE children to better weigh that decision.

Educational Therapists: Bridging Emotional and Cognitive Worlds

Educational therapists are often unsung heroes when supporting an HPE child. These professionals don’t just tutor; they actually bridge the emotional roadblocks that get in the way of learning. Many HPE kids struggle with anxiety around performance, perfectionism, or simply finding school too slow or unengaging. An educational therapist can:

• Develop individualized strategies for learning that reduce stress and boost confidence
• Adapt academic materials to suit emotional needs (e.g., storytelling, gamification, or breaking down tasks)
• Help your child process failures and setbacks more gently and constructively

And while you're supporting your child outside of school, watch how your home environment plays a crucial role by exploring how to create a calm and supportive setting that respects emotional intensity.

Finding the Right School Allies

Some teachers are natural champions for emotionally complex children. Others might confuse ‘sensitivity’ with defiance or disruption. What you need is a team of educators who are curious—not dismissive—about your child’s needs.

Facilitate dialogue between your child’s teacher, the school psychologist, and you. Simple interventions like flexible deadlines, quiet corners, or alternative assessment methods can do wonders. An HPE student might not excel in oral presentations but could shine in creative projects or role-playing scenarios.

This is also where the right tools at home can complement school efforts. For example, if your child struggles with traditional study methods, consider using tools that transform dry lesson notes into engaging formats. Some apps—like Skuli—let you take photos of classroom materials and instantly turn them into interactive quizzes or even audio adventures where your child becomes the main character in their own learning story. Using your child’s first name in a heroic story about the solar system? That’s not just fun—it’s emotionally attuned learning.

Art Therapists and Other Creative Professionals

HPE children often process emotions better through expression, not logic. Art therapists, music therapists, and drama coaches can help children externalize the inner storms they can’t yet put words to. One 8-year-old girl I worked with could draw her feelings—literally—long before she could talk about them. A series of messy blue spirals eventually turned into colorful scenes once she learned tools to self-soothe. This was therapy, just through sketchpads rather than couches.

Allow your child to find a medium that lets them say, “This is how I feel,” whether it's through colors, notes, or movements. You'll often find clues to their internal world in masterpieces you didn’t even know they were creating.

Beyond Professionals: You Are the Constant

While experts can offer tremendous support, don’t underestimate the importance of your role. Your home is the laboratory where emotional intelligence grows—or shrinks. One of the most powerful things you can do is tune in closely. Not fix. Not minimize. Just see them—and let them feel seen.

You might enjoy our piece on sparking a love of learning without pressure

And if you sometimes lose patience (because who doesn’t?), this reflection on common parenting missteps might bring both clarity and compassion for your efforts.

Closing Thoughts

Navigating the needs of an emotionally gifted child can feel like walking a tightrope—one where big feelings threaten to unbalance everything. But the right professional village, matched with a grounded, emotionally intelligent home, can create the safety net your child needs to thrive.

It’s not about labeling or fixing your child—it’s about recognizing where they’re most vibrant and helping them shine there, without burning out from their own emotional brilliance.