Smell sensitivity in highly sensitive kids is common and something that can affect your child on a daily basis. If your child falls into the 15-20% of the population with sensory processing sensitivity, also known as being a highly sensitive child (HSC), you might have noticed their reactions to smells by now. This trait can look different in each child, but heightened senses, like smell, taste, and sound are common. But before we get into the how and why, let’s start by defining smell sensitivity.
Smell sensitivity, sometimes called hypersensitivity to smells, is when a person has a heightened reaction to different odors. To grasp the science behind smell sensitivity, it’s useful to understand the olfactory system, or olfactory sense.
It all starts with odor molecules being drawn into your nose with each inhale. The molecules encounter the olfactory epithelium. Here, a whole bunch of sensory neurons have these things called olfactory receptors that are hanging out just waiting for an odor molecule to match with. This is where all of the food smells, good and bad, go before we process their scent.
We have approximately 450 different types of olfactory receptors, each tailored for specific odor molecules. And get this – it only takes a tiny amount of these molecules to set off a signal. It’s like the nose knows precisely what message to send for your brain to recognize “freshly baked cookies” or “wet dog”.
Now, for a highly sensitive child, this intricate dance of odor molecules and receptors is amplified. What may seem like a subtle fragrance to some could be an overpowering wave crashing over a highly sensitive kid. It’s crucial to understand that smell sensitivity in highly sensitive kids isn’t just a matter of “disliking” a smell – their sensory systems process the sensory input more deeply than other kids.
For parents and caregivers, understanding smell sensory sensitivity in these awesome kids is crucial for a smoother ride on the parenting journey. Over time, you may realize what works, or doesn’t work, for your child’s nose, influencing what items you keep around your house.
In 1996, Dr. Elaine Aron, a clinical psychologist, through her research identified sensory processing sensitivity, also called high sensitivity, and coined the term “the highly sensitive person” (HSP) to describe these unique individuals.
She even created a scale, outlined in her 1996 book, that is still widely used, that measures individuals’ responses to stimuli.
Psychologists and neuroscientists have discovered a lot in terms of what causes high sensitivity. They determined that high sensitivity in children originates in their nervous systems and brains. These children experience something referred to as sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). Basically, highly sensitive children’s brains actually process sensory input more deeply. As such, they react more intensely to different things. Strong smells, bright lights, loud noises, rough textures – you name it. Those sensations hit differently for an HSC.
Here are a few real-life situations every mom can relate to:
Picture this. You walk into your kid’s school and immediately detect the subtle scent of disinfectant, nothing overbearing, maybe a bit sterile, right? But to your highly sensitive child, it’s like being engulfed by a chemical cloud. Cue the meltdown. What you experience as faint and hardly noticeable hits their senses tenfold.
Grocery shopping. A necessity. But also, a symphony of smells. And for an HSC, this can feel more like an overwhelming assault than a pleasant shopping trip. The seafood counter might send them running, the bakery might make their stomach turn. Suddenly, you’ve gone from peacefully strolling the aisles to trying to navigate your grocery cart while your little one melts down.
Let’s face it, family meals out at a restaurant are tricky enough without sensory overload thrown in. The combination of cooking odors, perfume wafting from nearby tables, and even the distinct scent of cleaning supplies can be all too much for a highly sensitive kiddo to process at once. As you try to enjoy your adult time out with friends, they are dealing with smells that you might not even notice.
You might be thinking “I wish they would have told me this back at my child birthing classes.” Turns out, a child’s sense of smell develops before birth, even before their eyesight.
Researchers discovered that a newborn can differentiate their mother from other women simply by scent.
This is amazing because from birth, babies use their sense of smell to navigate their new world. It’s deeply ingrained into their developing brain and how they bond with you.
Another cool tidbit, is that smell affects a child’s memory. The olfactory bulb, which receives all the odor information from the sensory neurons in the nose, sits near the brain’s areas responsible for emotions and memory, the hippocampus and the amygdala.
And, it actually has direct access to these memory and emotional centers. Researchers point to this fact for why a specific fragrance can trigger vivid memories. Pretty wild stuff.
There’s a vast spectrum in terms of how sensory processing issues, specifically smell sensitivity, affect highly sensitive children.
Recognizing the signs of highly sensitive children, as well as Sensory Processing Disorder, and getting curious about their individual sensitivities helps equip you with ways to support their sensory processing challenges so you can avoid some pretty epic meltdowns, particularly those in public places. Some children are sensory seeking while others are hypersensitive to olfactory stimuli.
| Sensory Seeking (Hyposensitive): | Hypersensitive (Overstimulated): |
|---|---|
| May excessively smell people or objects. | May object to scents that go unnoticed by most people. |
| Might crave strong smells, good or bad. | Frequently complains others smell “bad”. |
| Seems unconcerned with very pungent odors. | Easily angered or agitated by perfumes, cleaning supplies or cooking smells. |
| Might sniff everything. | Avoids being around people based on how they smell. |
| Prefers strongly flavored or spicy foods or dislikes bland foods. | Is a picky eater or dislikes trying new foods, citing “the smell.” |
While every child and their sensory needs are different, understanding sensory processing sensitivity can guide your responses. Thankfully, there are ways you can adapt to the specific needs of your little one while managing meltdowns and keeping stress to a minimum.
And, mom, always remember it’s not your fault your kiddo is more sensitive than others and there’s so much you can do to support them.
Here are a few proven methods and tips to empower you on your journey in parenting a highly sensitive child:
First and foremost, if you are concerned your child’s sensory sensitivities are affecting their daily lives and development, reach out to your pediatrician. They can screen your child and make recommendations for therapies if needed.
Some examples of sensory integration therapies that are effective for children with sensory processing disorders are:
Equipping your child with strategies for stressful situations not only helps them cope, it also teaches self-regulation which will serve them throughout life. Sensory tools and techniques are game changers.
Talking with teachers at the beginning of the year sets everyone up for success. Simply explaining, in an email, that your child has a heightened sense of smell and can get overwhelmed is often all that’s needed for more understanding in the classroom. For younger children, you can also ask the teacher about avoiding seating near trash cans.
Talk openly and honestly with your kiddo (at an age-appropriate level of course). Let them know it’s okay to feel things more intensely. Remind them of their coping techniques so when strong odors strike, they can confidently say “I’m feeling overwhelmed, I’m going to go to my safe place and take a break.”
It could be sensory processing sensitivity, a completely normal trait that just means their nervous system processes information more deeply than their peers. Don’t stress – it’s their superpower. Help them understand it, manage it, and celebrate it.
Yup, smell sensitivity is incredibly common. It can also present differently depending on the individual child. Some smells are offensive, while some crave certain aromas. It can vary by individual.
Sensory sensitivities, particularly with smells, are common with Autism. Their sensory processing issues can mean smells that neurotypical individuals might not even notice are completely overwhelming for them.
No, highly sensitive kids do not grow out of it. Although, many learn effective ways of managing their sensitivities as they mature. This is where equipping them with a “tool kit” with calming strategies and providing ongoing support and validation comes in handy.
In conclusion, smell sensitivity is a common trait among highly sensitive children, impacting their daily experiences and emotional well-being. These kids may react strongly to various scents, leading to discomfort or anxiety in certain environments. Parents can support their sensitive children by creating a calm, scent-friendly home, providing choices in fragrance-free products, and encouraging open communication about their experiences. By understanding and addressing these sensitivities, parents can help foster a sense of safety and comfort for their children, allowing them to thrive.
Smell Sensitivity in Highly Sensitive Kids: A Parent’s Guide
Jill Gilbert
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