All Communities > Autism/Asperger's/PDD Awareness > Is it common for a child that has aspergers to have no...

Is it common for a child that has aspergers to have no sense of smell?

Jennie - posted on 04/27/2012 ( 4 moms have responded )

My son is 9 years old and he has always said he can't smell anything. He likes that he can't smell because a lot of food grosses him out. He's a very picky eater. I've mentioned this to his doctor and I've also had him smell things but he said he can't smell a thing. I was just wondering if any other person with aspergers has no sense of smell?

Join Circle of Moms

4 Comments

View replies by

Lisa - posted on 05/23/2012

My son is 8, and he has always said he can't really smell. He was diagnosed with Aspergers earlier this year. Could be a link? I dont know. We put very stinky moist cat food under is nose this AM to get a reaction, he said he couldnt smell it.
Then we told him how important it is to be absolutely specific and truthful. He then said he could smell a little and that it smelled like a tuna fish sandwich. So at this point we at least know it is not Congenital Anosmia. (Born w/ zero sense of smell) But our doc is looking into it, and are going to have him tested for horomone difficiency. Which is hard to do at this age, becase it's a hormore that is typically low, until puberty.
There are hospitals that specialize in testing of this lack of sense of smell - Boston & Philly that our doc said. Plus, although you would have to put him under... is to get an MRI so they can look at the nasal cavity, etc.

Keep pursuing your doc, and switch docs if you have to. Dont give up. We are not, we want to know cause and cure (if any).

Stacey - posted on 05/13/2012

My son is fourteen i just informed me he has never smelt anything omg so googled searchedand directed here illmake a gp app asap thx x

Jennie - posted on 04/27/2012

Thanks Anaquita I've never heard of that before. I'm pretty sure he can breath fine through booth nostrils because he's never complained that either side is stuffed up. I have mentioned this to his pediatrician but his dr has never ran any tests or anything. Next time I take him there I will mention his no sense of smell again. Thanks for yor advice.

Anaquita - posted on 04/27/2012

428

My son has Aspergers and he can smell things just fine. It's possible your son has a separate condition called Congenital Anosmia. Which is no sense of smell from birth. If he did before, (possibly temporary Anosmia, though sometimes permanent) ask him to be checked out for things like nasal polyps, allergies, asthma, anything that restricts the flow of air through the nose, really.