6yo child smells EVERYTHING

[lumberingcroissant]

As it says really. My 6 year old smells things all the time.

As far as I know, not ND. Very chatty, makes friends wherever they go, handles changes easily etc. Older sibling does not do this, so it isn't learned behaviour.

But... smells everything all the time, every new object encountered, clothes, things in shops, toys, people (like when having a cuddle while watching TV or hugging them goodbye etc), books at bedtime, their hands.

Sounds harmless... but how do I stop this? Started smelling glue earlier, only a pritt-stick but still... had a sudden panic that one day it might be something that you really shouldn't have a big whiff of! Also worried that other kids will start to notice. It happens so often it's to the point family members have started commenting on it.

Anyone else encountered this? Maybe been going on a year now, was hoping to outgrow but if anything it seems to be worse.

Dd and I both do that, it's how we decode life.

Probably both ND.

I'm not sure anyone could have stopped me without causing me great anxiety.

Oh and I've no desire to sniff glue for highs, not sure there's a correlation there.

Sounds like a normal 6 year old really. My 5 year old licks stuff, want to swap?

Normal.

Most infant school classes can match lost jumpers to their owner by their smells. It's totally normal.

Our now 22 year old DD still does.
Started from what I remember around 3, everything had to be smelled. People and food were favourites. She has always been sensitive to smell. Ironically she now works part time in Lush.
She is confirmed to have autism and ADD.
She's happy

Sounds perfectly normal to me.

I smell stuff. I didn't know it was weird (although I am weird sooooo....)

I used to do this as a child. Books were my favourite, especially new ones. A few kids in my class thought I was weird and asked me why I did it. I couldn't answer because I didn't know.
I grew out of it eventually 😀

@LakeTiticaca i absolutely love new books, they smell like salt and vinegar chips to me. OP@lumberingcroissant my child smells all her food to the extent she gets food up her nose (i know!) honestly don't worry, there are such people known as "super smellers" as they have highly developed olfactory abilities, you may just have a future wine expert, chef or perfume developer on your hands!

Accidental inhalation of a dangerous chemical is what OP is clearly worried about. Child inhaling superglue is just as harmful whether accidental or purposeful.

Could be worse I'll never forget my cousin around that age would run and sniff the chair whenever someone stood up did it for ages though now in his 30s he has definitely stopped.

Train them up to be a perfumier, wine taster, whiskey blender? Sounds like a natural skill.

My son is 5 and sniffs everything lol always has. I'm sure it started when my mum got him one of those smelly bells from the seaside. But yeah, he sniffs everything new especially trainers

My ND children do this and my NT one doesn’t. ND can show in many different ways and being chatty, making friends and handling change aren’t deciders of ND (because my AuDHD DD does all of those).

Every primary school class will have a super sniffer who can say who the lost jumper belongs to.

One of my DC sniffs everything, always has done and showing no sign of stopping in late 20s. Completely NT.

My 18 year old loves to smell new model cars ( hot wheels) and old books. I love smelling fresh cut lemons and old books..... maybe something in the water 🤔🤔😂

Op, I wouldn't worry about autism. He sounds completely fine. It will probably be a little trait that dissappears anyway. Most kids do weird shit, including my own and all my friends kids.

Sounds harmless
It is

but how do I stop this?
Why?

I loved the smell of a brand new doll at Christmas time. I still do, with my granddaughter's dollies 😁😁

I still do this now and so does my adult DD. We’re both probably on the spectrum somewhere.

I smell everything, and I’m not autistic AFAIK.

I remember when I was a teen and there was a phase where people would walk up behind, cover your eyes and say ‘guess who?’ in their best disguised voice. I always got it because of their smell…in a good way, none of them smelt bad, just very distinctive (even all the Lynx wearing boys!).

Maybe just point out that things in tins and cans and bottles should be checked before being smelt?

As far as I know, not ND. Very chatty, makes friends wherever they go, handles changes easily etc

But autism in girls presents differently.

I was chatty and made friends and I'm autistic.

@TheShellBeach just out of curiosity, what age did you get your diagnosis and what struggles do you have?