SPD sense of smell/taste

[tabithakp]

Im hoping someone can help me. my ds (5) has spd. he has developed a new symptom and im not sure how to deal with it. His sense of smell and taste have become heightened. Everything taste funny or "stinks". the slightest odor sets him off! Even his favorite choc. milk "stinks". has anyone else dealt with this??? he is having complete meltdowns!


we do see an OT weekly but next week she's busy with autism camp so we wont be seeing her for a couple of weeks i dont think we can last that long without some help!!!!!

thanks!

 

[lovethattink]

I am going through this with my son too. He has a mass on his brain that we don't know what it is at this point. But it's causing seizures. And before and after seizures his sense of smell, taste and hearing are all heightened.

The milk is a big one. If it's not very cold he is complaining about how nasty it smells and tastes. So he takes a drink and I have to put it right back in the refrig. We are using plastic cups with lids and straws to keep the smell away from his nose.

I'd be interested in suggestions for food and sound. We can't flush toilets in the house, run the vaccuum, dish washer, washing machine, dryer, etc.

This is the first we are experiencing melt downs. I'm not sure what to do or how to handle them. I am staying calm, trying to talk him down, but yesterday's melt down lasted an hour. It was exhausting for both of us.

 

[tabithakp]

we can't run the water either!

the cup and straw thing is a great idea! i tried a sports cup but i think that didnt work. hopefully the straw will keep it further away from his nose.

anyone else have any idea for us????

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I have some smell issues too. I know one thing I find useful is pillow spray (bath and body works) for hidding smells on fabric. They also sell room spray that may help food smell problems if you spray it before you set your food out (Its a very strong smell)

 

[bookwormde]

I agree a straw can help a lot and so can keeping milk as cold as he can tolerate. You will "discover" the things that are acceptable from a sensory stand point (texture often becomes as much of an issues a smell or taste). Just remember of good multivitiman and get a much protien in him as he needs, beyond that it is just "living with" an atypical diet.

bookwormde

 

[bookwormde]

Loverthattink,

While your situtaion is a little different, often "talking down" actually greatly extends the meltdown. I know if goes against you motherly instincts but often as long as he is safe the best thing to do is often to just to stand back and observe (inobtrusively).

bookwormde

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Loverthattink,

While your situtaion is a little different, often "talking down" actually greatly extends the meltdown. I know if goes against you motherly instaincts but often as long as he is safe the best thing to do is often to just to stand back and observe (inobtrusively).

bookwormde

I completely agree. DD's meltdowns will lengthen and intensify if I intervene to "talk her down". The best thing I can do is make sure she is in a safe place away from other people, and let her work through it. In our house, she knows she has to go to her room if she is throwing a fit. In public, it's a little trickier. But I try to reduce as much sensory input as possible by getting her to a quieter place with fewer people around.

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks. I thought maybe he was keeping on because he was getting attention over it. But every time I left him to himself, he hit his head repeatedly, and we were told not to let him bump his head, jump, swim, etc until they know more about what the mass is.

He goes for neurocognitive testing in August. And another, more specialized MRI in a couple weeks to check brain perfusion and spectroscopy. Hopefully as we get more answers, they will help us to handle the situation.

 

[tabithakp]

thank you for your responses! i will be trying the spray.

we have just implemented a safe area in his room for his meltdowns.

he also has texture issues im so happy its sandal season! socks are a big issue. i have a really difficult time with him using me as a climbing apparatus. our OT says things should get better and that he will learn to self regulate others ways but for right now its me!

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

tabitha, have you tried brushing or heavy work prior to meals? For my daughter if I give her extra strong sensory input it will help "calm" the sensory sensitvity somewhat and she is far less over reactive. Your OT can train you on Willbarger brushing or just lay him in between 2 big couch cushions and give him a heavy pressure on top of it. Other things might be to ask him to carry phone books for a distance. You can also try joint compressions.

 

[tabithakp]

we do a lot of heavy therapy with him (he sleeps with a weighted blanket and wears ankle weights as well). we've tried the brushing and so has the OT. he screams when we try it. the OT does say he is really off the charts right now with his senses. its not been an easy couple of weeks with this new smell/taste thing. i have been told that his age is the when its the worse????? that it should get better specially how he uses me as climbing apparatus! has anyone else seen it improve around age 6/7?