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.

I was in my 60s!
And yes, people always thought I was eccentric.
And some people really liked me, and others couldn't stand me.

But my diagnosis helped me to understand why my life had panned out the way it did.

Some people see life in colours- literal colours. Would a 'diagnosis' change anything really?

I could also be hormones - did you not smell absolutely everything when you were pregnant?

BTW OP I'm not saying your DD is autistic.
Just pointing out that the stereotypical ideas of how it presents are not entirely accurate in women and girls.

I'm 55 and I do this too

I used to and then switched off from it as I grew up.
When I was doing wine exams I had to train with scents to consciously switch that part of my brain on again.
It was amazing, a whole other level of experiencing the world that I'd forgotten.
I can focus to switch it on easily now and I love it.

Don't all kids do this? All of mine certainly did.