What it is
Our noses pick up information about the odours around us and passes this to our brains. We discriminate between thousands of different odours to distinguish whether smells are dangerous, strong, faint, pleasurable or foul. The olfactory system is closely related to our limbic systems which is responsible for our emotions and memory. The olfactory system is also closely related to our sense of taste.
Hypersensitive
| Potential signs | Potential impact | Strategies to assist with learning |
|---|---|---|
| Negative reactions to smell | Issues associated with the avoidance of people or places | This can be more difficult to work on as it requires a graded desensitising approach with guidance from an appropriate professional |
| Avoidance of certain environments | Poor oral or bodily hygiene | Creating smelly bags/handkerchiefs with oils which child finds pleasant |
| Avoids people or places who smell too much such as because of perfume | Careful selection of washing powder and use of perfume etc | |
| Sniffs food before eating |
Hyposensitive
| Potential signs | Potential impact | Strategies to assist learning |
|---|---|---|
| Smells everything | Appearing over familiar with people | Creating smelly bags/boards |
| Unhygienic practices | Smell sensation activities |
