Taste/smell - Sensory processing

What you might notice:

• May gag or feel nauseous at smells that do not bother others
• Dislike people based on their 'smell'
• May avoid places that can smell, such as restaurants, kitchens, bathrooms, shops.

• Reduce the use of strong odours such as air fresheners and fragrances
• Ensure rooms are well ventilated when there are strong smells
• Use unscented products
• Try carrying a piece of fabric with your preferred scent on it. You can smell this when feeling overwhelmed by other smells
• Introduce new foods and smell gradually
• Do not try to persuade your child to eat specific food items.  Make new/other choices available on the table (not their plate), giving them choice to try without any pressure.

Learn more about eating and mealtimes 

What you might notice:

• Do not notice strong smells/scents
• Find it difficult to identify items by their smell
• Less aware of their personal hygiene.

• Provide strong flavours in meals and strong smelling drinks
• Mint mouth spray
• Carry a scent that they like with opportunities to smell to encourage them to remain alert
• Teach ways to avoid danger such as reading food date labels.