Sensory therapy

Here are structured, safe, and therapy-friendly Olfactory (smell) sensory activities for children with Sensory-Based ASD. These can be used in occupational therapy, sensory integration sessions, classrooms, or home programs, based on whether the child is smell-seeking or smell-avoiding.

⸻

Understanding Olfactory Needs in ASD
• Olfactory over-sensitive → easily bothered by smells, nausea, avoidance
• Olfactory under-responsive -seeking → smelling objects repeatedly, seeking strong odors

⸻

Olfactory Activities – Graded Exposure Approach

👉 Always begin with mild, familiar smells

Mild & Familiar Smells
• Vanilla
• Rose water
• Coconut oil
• Baby lotion
• Orange peel

⸻

Olfactory Activities for Smell-Avoiding Children

(Goal: tolerance & acceptance)

Passive & Controlled Exposure
• Scented cotton balls in closed containers
• “Smell & Match” using mild scents
• Scratch-and-sniff cards (child controlled)
• Smelling while doing calming deep pressure
• Smell exposure paired with favorite activity

Distance-Based Smelling
• Smell from far → near → brief sniff
• Use visual scale (😊 😐 😖) to rate comfort

⸻

Olfactory Activities for Smell-Seeking Children

(Goal: appropriate exploration & regulation)

Active Smell Play
• Guess the smell game (blindfold optional)
• Scent jars (coffee, lemon, cinnamon)
• Smell scavenger hunt
• Scented playdough
• Herb smelling (mint, basil, coriander)

⸻

Functional Olfactory Activities
• Smell fruits before eating
• Laundry smell sorting (fresh vs dirty)
• Cooking smells (cloves, cardamom, jeera)
• Soap-shampoo identification
• Smell for safety (spoiled food – supervised)

⸻

Oral-Olfactory Combined Activities
• Smelling + blowing bubbles
• Smell → lick → chew (with safe foods)
• Aromatic chewing items (clove-flavored teether)
• Breathing in pleasant smells + slow exhale

⸻

Calming Olfactory Activities

(Only if tolerated)
• Lavender or chamomile (very mild)
• Warm towel with subtle scent
• Scented rice bags
• Bedtime smell routine (same scent daily)

⚠️ Avoid strong essential oils directly on skin.

⸻

Safety & Therapy Guidelines

✔ Never force smelling
✔ One scent at a time
✔ Watch for gagging, headache, avoidance
✔ Avoid mixing multiple smells
✔ Always follow with proprioceptive input

⸻

Sample Olfactory Sensory Diet (10 mins)
1. Wall push-ups – 2 mins
2. Smell & match activity – 4 mins
3. Herb smelling + naming – 2 mins
4. Deep pressure squeezes – 2 mins

⸻

Common Smells to Avoid Initially

❌ Strong perfumes
❌ Cleaning chemicals
❌ Camphor
❌ Eucalyptus oil
❌ Incense sticks

⸻