5 yr old w/ AS that is experiencing odd

[Guest guest]

Hi Christy,

I really dont think I have the answers either. But I might add an opinion I have on this. My 10 year old also sniffs many many things, people, his own smells, at school, home, public, etc. He even just started doing it to the foods he is eating. And I mean like putting it way up to the nostril and breathing hard. He actually doesnt seem to be doing as much as a few weeks ago...but it is still there.

My first thought about it is...he seems to have a hypersensitivity to sounds. I have known this for many years and even though we dont have the answers to why. We try to understand that he is ultra-sensitive in this area. So, when this smelling thing started...I just naturally felt it was the same thing. He seems to show some strong signs to be super sensitive to smell. In some ways, I think when he smells his friends, or his own fingers when they have been somewhere he is teaching himself something that I can not relate to. Like not having sight and feeling a persons face. I think smelling things is making him gather information for either comfort or maybe even like a natural instinct to know if we like something or not.

My son is verbal and I did ask why...but I just get "because" as an answer. I think your childs response "because my brain told me too" is an excellent answer. Same as "because I wanted to".

I really dont think it is that strange to do. I mean I wouldnt myself do it. And I do get alittle embarrassed in public when my son is eating his popcorn and before putting it in his mouth his puts the piece right up to his nose. But after all, it simply sounds like such a natural instinct to have.

Ok, I think I am rambling now. Just like his answer...this is very difficult to describe.

Just my thoughts on it...

Randi~

mom to 12, 10 (asd) and le 8