Sensory Integration Therapy - Suggestions Needed

I work with an autistic child who is hypo-sensitive (under sensitive) to smell. He wants to smell EVERYTHING! I am trying to create activities for him and to know more about therapy for this condition.

The child's mother doesn't mind activities in this area but she would like me to work on him NOT smelling people when he first meets someone, known or not known, in public or at any time.

All ideas are welcomed.

Hi Shelley, and welcome to IAN.

I hope therapists, parents, or teachers who have encountered this behavior will have some ideas for you. I would think any intervention would have at least two components: one directed at sensory needs and one that is more about social skills, especially in terms of boundaries and appropriate time/place to sniff whatever it might be.

In case it might be helpful, we have "overview" articles on both types of therapy here:

OT/Sensory Integration Treatment Report: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/ian_treatment_reports/occupational_therapy

Social Skills Interventions: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/what_do_we_know/social_skills_interventions