I doubt anyone would find that fruity. I know that I am very aware of the emotional tenor of folks around me, as well. I don't know how much of that is based on SPD and how much is based on abuse, but it hardly matters. I've known others with SPD who say the same. And considering that people with SPD who are overly sensitive see other things "more loudly" than others, it's not a terribly surprising thing.

One of my favorite blogs (and the one that led me to realize that I have SPD) is about a mother who did an international adoption of a special needs child from China. Turns out, mother is SPD on the sensitive side, and her daughter from China is SPD on the under-sensitive, seeking side. Her blog is called Our Little Tongginator, and I'll bet you'd get a kick out of it. She sometimes talks about the difficulties of their sensory differences, but she mainly focuses on adoptive parenting and international special needs parenting. Anyway, it's really well written, and she is an incredibly kind, sweet lady.

I have heard a statistic that said that around 10% of the population is estimated to have varying levels of SPD. I don't know how true that is, but it's my guess that the truly dedicated adoptive parents who are, as you put it, empathic are the ones who are going to have SPD. And it is known that many children who need adoptive care for their forever families have a much higher incidence of SPD. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Perhaps the need of the children calls especially for those most able to understand and care for them in the times of need.