Odour detection in children and young people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Olfaction provides information on very important dimensions of the environment; however the olfactory abilities of children and young people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) remain largely unknown. This within-subjects study explores olfactory detection abilities in children with PIMD.

Method

Twenty-two children and young people with PIMD (7-18 years) were presented with 18 medium intensity odours and an odourless control stimulus. Odorants were presented one by one in a randomised order. The neutral stimulus was presented prior to each odorant. Participants' responses were measured using 21 behavioural indicators.

Results

Results show that participants make a clear distinction between odorous and neutral conditions, between food

SUBMITTER: Petitpierre G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9299868 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature