Hyper sensitive sense of smell & link with learning difficulties???

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Does anyone out there, or anyone's child have a hyper sensitive sense of smell? My DS has always shown signs of this since he was old enough to express himself. So much so that he sometimes get distressed by certain smells, when to others around him it isn't really a problem.

He's currently under going assessment for learning difficulties, and I'm wondering if there could be a link...in the way that some children on the autistic spectrum have sensory issues with sounds etc.

Does anybody have experience or knowledge of this? I've never heard of any link, but it seems to me that there might be.

TIA

No knowledge but the same issue here - taste & smell.

It's common and comes under sensory processing

Nearly & Quiet thanks for responding.

With your experiences, does the person you're referring to have learning difficulties, or do you think they might, or does it seem to be completely unconnected to learning difficulties?

It happens with taste too, but it's only just occured to me as previously I thought it was just him being fussy.

Hypersensitivity can be linked to some conditions, but can occur on its own as well.

It can be linked to sensory processing. Hypersensitivity in all the senses is a thing. I have taught children who can even hear electric cables buzzing in walls!

My DS with ASD is very hypersensitive. He currently has a very limited (bland) diet and can sometimes vomit when faced with a very strong smell (birthday party at the farm was one to remember ). It can happen out of LDs though. I am very sensitive to taste and smell (not to DS level) and as far as I know neurotypical.

Just coming on to say that sesnsory prosessing differences can occur on it's own. We all have sensory differences according to DD's OT. Like, some people get sick on a swing but others could whizz round on a waltzer all day.

Sensory over/undersensitivty from any of the 7 areas can be co morbid with ASC but I wouldn't describe ASC as a 'learning difficulty'. More of a social one. Whilst it is worrying I'd focus on getting through the assessments and then work out how to deal with any diagnosis. You'll tie yourself in knots otherwise.

My DM has this. I could never have gotten away with smoking as a teen

What sort of learning difficulties? There is an overlap with dyslexia and Irlens syndrome.

Thank you Strippervicar and everyone else who's answered.

This will be so obvious, but what does ASC stand for?

Dyspraxic son is hypersensitive- no labels in clothes, hates having sticky hands, loathes strong sunlight etc. Fantastic sense of smell has faded a bit as he has got older; but he now has a great nose for wine and I always have him check the seasoning when I cook

Sorry, ASC stands for autistic spectrum condition.

Sensory Processing Disorder and poor executive function can be linked in that they can be comorbid (two or more neurological issues occurring together), commonly found in ASD. Dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc are all neurological in origin. Is your child being assessed for anything further than the learning difficulties? I think I would probably press for deeper assessment in light of the sensory processing issues you have noticed, as it is SO common for there to be additional underlying issues, even if you are not aware of them yet.

I'm going to shock you all now and say that my DS is 13. I feel that I've failed him in not picking all of this up earlier, tbh.

Noodles can you advise me of what I would say regarding levels of assessment, by any chance? I'm clueless and don't know what I should be pushing for.

School is really dragging their feet about assessment.

Thanks so much for everyone's advice and insight.

DS2 has SPD, LD and Aspergers - an ASD.

These were diagnosed privately - school weren’t interested because he was achieving at a good level. Just not the level he had the potential to achieve at had these issues been picked up and catered for at an earlier point in his education.

We found an Educational Psychologist to do the assessments via a reference from a school SENCO. It isn’t cheap.

NearlySchoolTimeAgain I've pm-ed you.

Very common, my dyspraxia, autistic son also has sensory processing disorder. He can't cope with lots of smells, textures and goes bonkers when our dog barks loudly. He also likes tight clothes because the pressure soothes him.