Understanding Smell Sensitivities: Making Sense of Sensory – Week 6👃

The sense of smell often flies under the radar, but for many neurodivergent individuals, it can have a big impact on daily life. From perfume to food, cleaning products to public spaces, the world is full of scents that can soothe, overwhelm, or go completely unnoticed.

Smell is directly linked to the emotional part of the brain, which means it can trigger strong reactions: comfort, stress, calm, or even panic. And just like with other senses, everyone’s olfactory system is different.

Smell Over-Sensitivity (Avoider)

Some individuals experience smell hypersensitivity, where everyday scents feel overpowering, distracting, or even make them feel unwell.

Signs might include:

• Avoiding certain environments (e.g. bathrooms, kitchens, supermarkets) ⛔

• Complaints of headaches, nausea, or dizziness from perfumes or food smells 🤕

• Refusal to eat certain foods due to their smell 🍔

• Distress when others wear strong fragrances or scented products 💐

• Covering their nose or holding their breath 🤧

  
  

How to support a smell avoider:

• Choose unscented products where possible (shampoo, laundry, soap) 🌸

• Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods when possible 🍳

• Offer alternatives (e.g. eating in a different room, using a fan) 🪭

• Allow the individual to control their environment (e.g. opening a window) 🪟

• Let them carry a soothing scent of their own (like lavender or mint) to mask others 🪻

  
  

Smell Under-Sensitivity (Seeker)

Others may experience smell under-sensitivity, where they don’t register scent easily or seek out strong or unusual smells.

Signs might include:

• Sniffing objects, people, or clothing 👃

• Preferring strong smells like vinegar, petrol, or spices ⛽

• Not noticing strong odours that others react to 💪

• Chewing or licking non-food items to explore scent 👅

• Struggling with body awareness or hygiene cues 🚿

  
  

How to support a smell seeker:

• Offer safe, strong-smelling items like scented playdough, essential oils, or herbs 🪻

• Use scent-based sensory tools or calming sprays 💐

• Build hygiene routines with visual prompts and scent checklists 🧼

• Include strong-smelling foods or drinks in meals if helpful 🌶️

• Avoid shaming sniffing behaviours, redirect when needed, with compassion 💖

  
  

Why It Matters 💬

Smell sensitivities can affect:

• Hygiene and self-care: Someone may not notice body odour or may avoid brushing teeth due to toothpaste smell 🚿

• Eating habits: Food refusal might be more about scent than taste or texture 🍴

• Social interaction: Strong smells from people, pets, or places can affect comfort and focus 🫂

• Emotional regulation: Smells can trigger memories, meltdowns, or a sense of calm 😊

  
  

Understanding smell processing helps us recognise triggers, reduce distress, and build sensory-safe environments.

Everyone's Sensory Needs Are Different

Some people are deeply affected by smell. Others barely notice it. Neither is wrong, just different. The key is listening, observing, and adapting.

By noticing the way smells affect someone’s day, we can take small steps that make a big difference, in comfort, confidence, and connection.

👣 Next week, we’ll explore the vestibular sense and how movement, balance, and coordination shape the way we experience and navigate the world.