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https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-018-3710-y#Abs1 Next up for today's 'oh dear' award, this new paper on whether autistic children are better than others at detecting smells.
Now, let's start by thinking about what a good test would be/
Now, let's start by thinking about what a good test would be/
I am not an expert in designing such a thing...but, I'd have guessed it would mean asking the children to detect tiny hints of particular smells on things.
Wouldn't you?
Well no. That's not what they did. Instead, they used the COBEL questionnaire. Want to marvel at it?/
Wouldn't you?
Well no. That's not what they did. Instead, they used the COBEL questionnaire. Want to marvel at it?/
It's in the 'supplementary' bit on that link.
Here we go. 16 questions.
I'll pick some favourites. (paraphrased)
1) Are there foods you hate?
2) Do you smell unknown food before eating it?
3) On a nature walk, do you prefer to touch, smell, watch or listen?
Are you puzzled?/
Here we go. 16 questions.
I'll pick some favourites. (paraphrased)
1) Are there foods you hate?
2) Do you smell unknown food before eating it?
3) On a nature walk, do you prefer to touch, smell, watch or listen?
Are you puzzled?/
Onwards!...
4) Do you remember smells from yesterday?
5) Do you like to smell stuff when sad?
6) Are there things you treasure because they smell good?
7) If there were no smells, would it upset you?
8) Do you smell your school things?
OK, I think that's enough fun/
4) Do you remember smells from yesterday?
5) Do you like to smell stuff when sad?
6) Are there things you treasure because they smell good?
7) If there were no smells, would it upset you?
8) Do you smell your school things?
OK, I think that's enough fun/
These aren't tests of whether a child is better than another child at detecting odours, are they.
They are tests of
Comprehension.
Language.
Accurate ability to answer/point.
Memory.
etc.
I need more tea.
They are tests of
Comprehension.
Language.
Accurate ability to answer/point.
Memory.
etc.
I need more tea.
The children were all male.
All age 5-6.
Is it just me, or is most autism research written by people who must have only had three minutes to design and prepare their project?
All age 5-6.
Is it just me, or is most autism research written by people who must have only had three minutes to design and prepare their project?
None of those questions would be a reliable test of "odour awareness" in an autistic child.
Foods, drink that they hate? Might be because of taste, not smell.
Do they smell an unknown food? Potentially not, if the smell might be overpowering. That's not a lack of awareness/
Foods, drink that they hate? Might be because of taste, not smell.
Do they smell an unknown food? Potentially not, if the smell might be overpowering. That's not a lack of awareness/
Walking about in nature may result in all sensory experiences being heightened. It's not a test of low awareness of smell if a child puts it fourth in the list.
The question about smells yesterday is a memory test and nothing to do with low awareness of odour/
The question about smells yesterday is a memory test and nothing to do with low awareness of odour/
Are there odours you like smelling when sad?
If the answer is 'no', that does not mean the child has no awareness of odour, does it. It simply means no.
I could go on, but I won't.
Always, always get your questionnaires checked by autistic specialists before using them.
If the answer is 'no', that does not mean the child has no awareness of odour, does it. It simply means no.
I could go on, but I won't.
Always, always get your questionnaires checked by autistic specialists before using them.
