Smell

Sensory Processing - Neurodiversity Hub Wirral

Smell

Our sense of smell has two main roles: 

  1. Enjoyment – like the scent of flowers, perfume, or food. 

  1. Warning – like detecting smoke from a fire or spoiled food. 

Smell and taste use the same nerve pathway. The brain links them so we can respond to smells and tastes. Some children may be over-sensitive or under-sensitive to these senses. This can affect what foods they eat. Some may prefer bland foods, while others seek strong, spicy flavours. 

We cannot change how someone processes smell and taste. But we can use strategies to help children manage their sensory experiences

Under-Sensitive to Smell

Some people: 

  • Cannot smell strong odours (including their own body odour) 

  • Lick objects to explore them 

Support strategies: 

  • Create routines for washing 

  • Use strong-smelling products to mask unpleasant smells 

Over-Sensitive to Smell

Some people: 

  • Find smells intense or overwhelming 

  • Avoid people with strong perfumes or scented products 

Support strategies: 

  • Use unscented detergents and shampoos 

  • Avoid wearing perfume 

  • Keep environments fragrance-free 

Smell links directly to the brain’s emotional centre. Its effects are fast. Smells can calm or cause stress. 

Adults may not notice smells that affect children and young people (CYP). Always consider what smells are present. 

Avoid layering smells (e.g. shampoo, shower gel, hairspray, perfume). This can make the environment uncomfortable for CYP. If smell is a concern, reduce added scents and make the space more CYP-friendly. 

A familiar smell, like a parent’s scent or a favourite food, can help CYP feel calm. They can carry a handkerchief with this scent and use it discreetly when needed.

What You Might See

If a CYP seeks more smells (olfactory stimuli), they may:

  • Sniff people 

  • Sniff food before eating 

  • Sniff objects to explore them 

  • Enjoy strong-smelling places, foods, and products 

If a CYP is under-responsive to smells, they may:

  • Not notice strong odours 

  • Struggle to identify items by smell 

  • Have poor awareness of personal hygiene 

If a CYP is over-responsive to smells, they may:

  • Strongly like or dislike people based on scent 

  • Gag or vomit unexpectedly 

  • Avoid smelly places like kitchens or bathrooms 

  • Seem distracted or upset due to unnoticed smells 

Activities to Support Smell Sensory Needs

You can find more activities here: 
📄 Additional Smell and Taste Activities 

Autism and Smell

A strong sense of smell can cause physical reactions like nausea or vomiting for people with autism. But smell can also help calm them. For example, wearing a scarf with a favourite scent can reduce stress. 

Smell can also help with memory. Familiar scents may remind someone of people or places they care about.