TRIVENI GOSWAMI VERNAL
(REGISTERED SPECIAL EDUCATOR A64010)

When an individual with Autism engages in behaviour to regulate the incoming Olfactory stimulus, it is referred to as Olfactory Stimming. An individual may either be Hypersensitive to Olfactory stimuli (hence engage in behaviour to avoid it) or be Hyposensitive to Olfactory stimuli (hence engage in behaviour to seek it).

RESOURCES OR ACTIVITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HYPERSENSITIVE TO VARIOUS SCENTS:
Individuals with Hypersensitivity to Olfactory stimuli may be sensitive to smells which may otherwise, be unnoticed by others. Certain smells can evoke strong bodily reactions like nausea, headache or allergies. The individuals may not only avoid the scent, but anything that is associated with it, like people, clothing, rooms, places etc. Careful observation is required to understand what the olfactory triggers might be. Some suggestions are as follows:
a) Provide soaps/ skincare that are unscented.
b) Ensure rooms are well-ventilated
c) Provide an alternative to the child/individual, so that they can be distracted from any scent that they deem unpleasant.
d) Carry tissue papers/ handkerchief to cover the nose.
e) Inform the people in advance if you know that the child may have an adverse reaction to a particular scent.

RESOURCES OR ACTIVITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HYPOSENSITIVE TO VARIOUS SCENTS:
Individuals who are Hyposensitive to a particular scent, may seek out those scents in their environment. They may sniff surfaces, people, objects etc. that may carry the particular scent. Some suggestions are:
a) Scented play dough to play with.
b) Make mini sensory bottles with cotton dipped in a particular scent (that the child/individual likes), inserted in it. One can use Essential Oils, but one needs to read about the percentages of usage, before use. This is because not all essential oils are safe. The same precautions also need to be taken for herbs and spices.
c) Instead of sniffing people and surfaces (that may be considered inappropriate behaviour), an alternative scent can be provided to help the individual seeking it.
f) If the child enjoys, then cooking is also an activity that can help the individual be exposed to various kinds of scents.
g) Keeping a lit, aromatic candle (at a safe distance from the child) in the room.

The following website has several ideas regarding scented sensory play
https://www.theottoolbox.com/olfactory-sense-scented-sensory-play/

The other important aspect that may need some work, is to teach an individual with impaired olfaction, how to recognize strong odours such as food becoming stale, the scent of gas leakage, smoke and wood fire etc. One way to do that, may be through a mini scent bottle for food that has gone bad/rotten and for things like the scent of smoke/scent of a burning object (burn a piece of cloth, stuff it in a glass bottle and close the cap, so that the burning smell lingers), or perhaps place a small piece of burning coal or firewood, in a glass jar and close the lid, for a bit, to trap the smell.
Please note, all of these have to be done under the supervision of an adult, and with all safety measures in place, so as not to endanger the life of the concerned child/individual with impaired olfaction.

************

Author Triveni Goswami Vernal

Triveni Goswami Vernal is an Autism advocate, registered Special Educator (CRR A64010) and an Independent Researcher. Her areas of interest include Autism, Disability Rights, Gender, Art and Northeast studies. She is a mum to an 12 year old on the Autism Spectrum.

Artwork-“Flowers in a Garden”, Artist Kabir Vernal
Acrylic Painting on Canvas