Smells (Hypersensitive)

 

May find many common smells repulsive and this may lead to nausea.

 

1. Ensure the environment is as fragrance free as possible.

2. Prepare them in advance if there is going to be any strong smells.

3. Ensure there is plenty of chance to be in the fresh air.

 

May dislike normal daily smells i.e. perfume, deodorant, detergent, natural smells, foods.  This may lead to strong dislike to people.

 

1. Avoid using strong smelling deodorant, shampoos, perfume, detergent etc.

2. Ensure the environment is as fragrance free as possible.

3. Prepare them in advance if there is going to be any strong smells.

4. Ensure there is plenty of chance to be in the fresh air.

5. Use smells that they like.

 

May have a sensitive sense of smell and be able to smell faint smells strongly which can be overpowering.

 

1. Avoid using strong smelling deodorant, shampoos, perfume, detergent etc.

2. Ensure the environment is as fragrance free as possible.

3. Prepare them in advance if there is going to be any strong smells.

4. Ensure there is plenty of chance to be in the fresh air.

5. Use smells that they like.

 

May struggle with toileting due to smell.

 

1. Access to alternative toilet if needed i.e. toilet that aren’t used as much such as disabled/staff toilets.

2. Avoid strong smelling detergent.

 

They may struggle with certain food smells or being around others eating.

 

1. Allow them to eat in a different area if eating with others/in cafeteria is distressing.

 

Smells (Hyposensitive)

 

May need to smell everything before engaging with it.

 

1. Provide access to different strong smells depending on what they enjoy.

2. Provide strong smelling food.

3. Apply a favourite smell to a wrist sweat band or hankie so they can smell whenever they like without it being too obvious.

 

May seek out strong smells.

 

1. Try to use strong smelling products as rewards.

2. Provide strong smelling food.

3. Apply a favourite smell to a wrist sweat band or hankie so they can smell whenever they like without it being too obvious.

 

May smell people's hair.

 

1. Apply a favourite smell to a wrist sweat band or hankie so they can smell whenever they like to get sensory input.

 

May have little to no sense of smell and be unaware of extreme odours such as faeces/body odour.

 

1. Create a regular routine of washing (deodorant, depending on age) to avoid strong body odour.

2. See Hygiene section for advice.

 

May smear faeces due to lack of smell.

 

1. Try to use strong smelling products as rewards or to distract from them from inappropriate strong smelling stimuli (faeces).