Aromatherapy for Children With Autism: What Parents and Carers Need to Know

If you're considering aromatherapy for your child, you may have a whole list of questions.

Will they like the smells? Could it become part of their bedtime routine? What about sensory sensitivities? Is it safe? And how do you know which oils are appropriate?

After 29 years as a qualified aromatherapist, 26 years working in special education with children and young people with SEND and autism, and 16 years working specifically as a specialist aromatherapist within special education, I've learnt one thing above all else:

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to aromatherapy.

Every young person is different. Their sensory preferences, communication, experiences, needs and responses to scent can all be completely individual.

And that's where I believe aromatherapy gets really interesting.

What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the professional use of essential oils as part of a wider approach to wellbeing. Depending on the individual and the circumstances, essential oils may be used through methods such as massage, inhalation or diffusion.

Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts, so they need to be selected and used appropriately. They aren't something I'd recommend simply choosing from a random list on Google.

When working with children and young people, factors such as age, individual needs, sensory preferences, allergies, medical circumstances, method of use and appropriate dilution all need to be considered.

For me, good aromatherapy always starts with the person — not the oil.

Can aromatherapy be useful for autistic children?

In my experience, absolutely.

I've worked with autistic and neurodivergent young people for many years, and most respond very positively to smell once they've had the opportunity to become familiar with it.

Citrus aromas are particularly popular in my experience, followed by menthol aromas, although some young people really love woody scents too. But there isn't an “autism oil.” What one young person loves, another may completely reject.

That's why individual preference matters so much.

Every young person experiences scent differently

Autistic children and young people can experience sensory information very differently. Some may be extremely sensitive to smells, while others actively seek out strong sensory experiences.

And preferences can change too. Something that is tolerated one day may be completely unwelcome another day, depending on tiredness, emotional state, the environment or what else is happening around them.

This is why I never start with the assumption that a particular oil should work.

I start by finding out what the young person actually likes.

Choice and consent come first

This is one of the most important parts of my approach.

Before using an aroma, I like to introduce the young person to it first. I might use an aroma pad so they can smell it without anything being applied to their skin.

I watch their response carefully.

Do they move towards it?

Do they smell it again?

Do they turn away?

Do they push it away?

Do they communicate a preference through gestures, facial expressions, body language or their usual communication system?

Even pre-verbal young people can communicate very clearly when they don't like something.

And I've had a few aroma pads thrown straight back in my face over the years! 😂

It's actually useful information — albeit occasionally delivered with rather impressive accuracy.

It tells me very clearly:

“Nope. Definitely not that one. Try again.”

And that's exactly what I do.

Choice and consent aren't optional extras. They're central to using aromatherapy respectfully with children and young people.

Children's Aromatherapy

What if my child doesn't like essential oils?

Don't force it.

Some young people initially dislike unfamiliar aromas but become more tolerant as they become familiar with them. Others will have very definite preferences from the beginning.

I've rarely found a young person who couldn't find something they liked, but that doesn't mean every aroma will be suitable or enjoyable for every child.

The answer is usually to explore their preferences rather than trying to persuade them to like a particular oil.

Start with the person, not the oil.

Why does consistency matter?

This is one of the things I find most fascinating about using aromatherapy with young people.

Our sense of smell has a particularly strong relationship with memory and emotion. Olfactory information has close connections with brain structures involved in emotional processing and memory, including the amygdala and hippocampus.

This is one reason a familiar smell can bring back a memory or feeling so quickly.

In my work, I've seen how this can become relevant when an aroma is used consistently alongside a familiar routine.

A young person can become familiar with a particular aroma and begin to associate it with what happens next — whether that's getting ready for bed, preparing for a transition or moving into a quieter activity.

It's not magic.

It's familiarity, association and consistency.

And our brains are pretty clever at that.

Aromatherapy and transitions

Transitions can be challenging for some autistic young people, particularly when they involve moving away from something familiar or preparing for something unpredictable.

I've used aromatherapy as one part of a transition routine, where a familiar aroma provides another consistent sensory marker for what is happening.

For example, a particular aroma might be introduced before a transition or as part of a familiar routine. The aim isn't for the essential oil to make the transition happen.

It's about giving the young person another predictable sensory cue within a wider support strategy.

Can aromatherapy support calming and regulation?

Parents and education staff often ask whether aromatherapy can help with anxiety, emotional regulation, focus, sleep or behaviours that challenge.

My answer is yes and also that aromatherapy can be one tool within a much wider approach to supporting a young person's wellbeing and regulation.

When a young person is dysregulated, their ability to engage, communicate and learn can be affected. In special education, supporting regulation is therefore an important part of creating the conditions in which a young person can participate and learn.

This is where I absolutely believe aromatherapy has a valuable place.

When a young person becomes familiar with an aroma that they enjoy, and that aroma is consistently used as part of a calming or predictable experience, it can become a familiar sensory cue.

For some young people, that familiarity can be incredibly helpful.

And I think this is one of the reasons aromatherapy can be so interesting within special education. We're looking at how we can support an individual young person to feel more comfortable, more regulated and more able to engage with what's happening around them.

As I often say to parents and staff: “An anxious child cannot learn.” For me, that means we need to think about what we can do to help a child feel safe, settled and ready to engage.

Aromatherapy is one part of that bigger picture.

How I use aromatherapy in a special school setting

In schools such as mine, where a qualified aromatherapist is part of the staff team, I've used gentle diffusion in areas such as corridors near the entrances that young people use, allowing them to experience a familiar aroma as they arrive at school.

The aim is to build familiarity rather than introduce a completely new sensory experience every time.

For individual young people, I may also use aroma pads with different oils so that I can establish preferences and observe their responses. The environment, concentration, ventilation and the individual needs of the young people all need to be considered carefully.

And if a child clearly doesn't want to experience an aroma, that needs to be respected.

Consent and choice don't stop being important simply because we're talking about a wellbeing activity.

School Safe Aromatherapy & SEND Resources

Aromatherapy and bedtime routines

Bedtime is another area where aromatherapy may be impactful — particularly for neurodivergent young people who thrive on predictable routines.

Rather than thinking of aromatherapy as something that is going to “make a child sleep”, I prefer to think about how a familiar aroma and oils can become part of a consistent bedtime routine.

For example, an aroma that a child enjoys could be introduced as part of their wind-down routine.

With regular, appropriate use, the aroma can become familiar and associated with what happens next: quieter activities, bedtime preparation and getting ready for sleep. Some families may also choose to incorporate massage where appropriate and where the child is comfortable with touch.

The important thing is that the aroma should be part of the routine rather than being treated as a quick fix for sleep difficulties.

If a child has persistent or significant sleep problems, it's important to discuss these with an appropriate healthcare professional rather than relying on aromatherapy alone.

Sleep resources

What about sensory sensitivities?

This is where individualisation becomes particularly important.

A child who is highly sensitive to smell may find a strong aroma overwhelming. Another child may actively seek out strong smells and enjoy them.

There is no universal sensory profile for autistic children. That's why I don't believe in simply giving parents a list of “the best oils for autism”. Instead, I look at the individual young person.

What smells do they already enjoy?

What do they avoid?

How do they communicate their preferences?

Are there particular environments or situations where smells become more difficult?

And what method of aromatherapy is appropriate for them?

Sometimes the answer may be a very gentle aroma.

Sometimes it may be individual smelling from an aroma pad.

And sometimes the answer may be not to use aromatherapy at all.

Which essential oils are best for autistic children?

There isn't a single list of “best essential oils for autism”.

The appropriate choice depends on the individual young person, their age, their preferences, the intended method of use and their individual circumstances.

Essential oils are concentrated substances, and some are more appropriate than others depending on age and method of use. This is one of the reasons I would never recommend buying a selection of oils simply because an online article says they're “good for autism”.

Don't start with a list of oils. Start with the child.

Can essential oils interfere with medication?

This is a question I am asked regularly, and it's an important one.

There isn't a blanket answer because it depends on the individual, the medication, the essential oil, the method of use and the circumstances. If your child takes regular medication, has a significant medical condition, or you have any concerns about whether aromatherapy is appropriate, seek advice from an appropriately qualified aromatherapist who can consider the individual circumstances and contraindications.

The same applies to children with significant allergies, asthma, epilepsy, skin conditions or particularly complex sensory needs.

Aromatherapy should complement appropriate healthcare — not replace it.

What I wouldn't recommend

The biggest thing I would say to parents is:

Don't just buy a load of essential oils and start experimenting.

I know how tempting it is.

You Google “best essential oils for children's sleep” and suddenly you're looking at twenty different oils, three starter kits and someone telling you that lavender will apparently solve everything.

It won't.

Essential oils need to be selected carefully and used appropriately, particularly with children.

You need to consider:

• The child's age

• Their individual sensory preferences

• The method of use

• Appropriate dilution

• Allergies and sensitivities

• Medical circumstances

• Contraindications

• The quality and suitability of the products being used

• 
  

If you're unsure, speak to someone with appropriate aromatherapy kqualification and experience.

So, does aromatherapy make a difference?

After nearly three decades as an aromatherapist, and sixteen years specifically using my aromatherapy knowledge within special education, I can say that I've seen some incredibly positive responses to aromatherapy.

I've seen young people respond positively to aromatherapy strategies and resources.

I've seen young people develop clear preferences for particular aromas.

I've seen familiar scents become part of routines.

I've seen young people who initially rejected an aroma become more comfortable with it over time.

And I've seen how something as simple as being offered a choice can give a young person a meaningful way to communicate what they do and don't like.

That's why my approach has never been about finding the one perfect essential oil.

It's about finding what works for that young person.

The most important thing? Keep it consistent.

If you decide to introduce aromatherapy into your child's routine, don't expect to see everything from it after one or two uses.

Give your child time to experience the aroma.

Give them choices.

Pay attention to their responses.

Find the aromas they genuinely enjoy.

And, if aromatherapy is appropriate for them, use it consistently enough for it to become familiar.

Aromatherapy works best when it's part of a thoughtful, individualised approach — not a quick fix.

And that's probably the biggest thing my years working with autistic young people have taught me.

Start with the person, not the oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can aromatherapy help autistic children sleep?

Aromatherapy may be incorporated into a calming and predictable bedtime routine. For some children, a familiar aroma can become a sensory cue associated with winding down and preparing for sleep. Aromatherapy shouldn't be relied upon as a treatment for persistent sleep difficulties.

Which essential oils are best for autistic children?

There isn't one essential oil that is best for autistic children. The appropriate choice depends on the individual child's age, sensory preferences, circumstances and the method of use.

What if my child doesn't like essential oils?

Don't force it. Offer choices and observe how your child communicates their preferences. Finding an aroma they genuinely enjoy is much more useful than trying to make them tolerate one they dislike.

Can aromatherapy help with sensory sensitivities?

Aromatherapy isn't a treatment for sensory sensitivities, but it can sometimes be incorporated into an individualised sensory or wellbeing approach. The child's response to each aroma should always guide what happens next.

Can essential oils interfere with medication?

Potential interactions and safety considerations depend on the individual, medication, essential oil and method of use. If your child takes medication or has a medical condition, seek appropriate professional advice before introducing aromatherapy.

Can aromatherapy be used with a pre-verbal child?

Yes, aromatherapy can potentially be introduced to a pre-verbal child, provided it is appropriate for the individual and their responses are carefully observed. Communication doesn't have to be verbal — preferences can be communicated through body language, gestures, facial expressions and behaviour.

How often should aromatherapy be used?

There isn't one frequency that is right for every child. If aromatherapy is appropriate, consistency is often more useful than occasional, random use. The method and frequency should be tailored to the individual child and the intended purpose.

About Fiona

Fiona is a qualified aromatherapist with 29 years' experience and has worked in special education for 26 years, supporting children and young people with SEND and autism.

For the past 16 years, she has worked specifically as a specialist aromatherapist within special education with youn people aged 3-19 years.

Her approach combines professional aromatherapy knowledge with extensive first-hand experience of working alongside autistic and neurodivergent children and young people, with a particular focus on sensory needs, wellbeing, regulation and individualised support.

About Fiona

Autism & SEND