Background: Within the context of the Special Interest Research Group (SIRG) on Persons with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD), researchers often discuss the methodological problems and challenges they are confronted with. The aim of the current article was to give an overview of these challenges. Methods: The challenges are centred on six topics. These reflect the main components of a study's design: (a) participant demarcation, (b) participant recruitment, (c) data collection and instruments, (d) data analysis, (e) ethics/including the "voice" of persons with PIMD and (f) theoretical models. Results: Next, to describing the specific challenges, possible solutions and pathways to address them are discussed. These are illustrated by recent studies by the authors and other researchers in the field. Conclusions: The current contribution wants to stimulate further discussion and exchange of ideas, and the development of creative research techniques.

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 and non-food, and between pleasant and unpleasant odours. The detection abilities are manifested by several behaviours, in particular by the duration of the head alignment on the odorant. Conclusions:This study shows that participants detect the stimuli and act differently depending on the category.

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L’olfaction est une modalité sensorielle cruciale sur le plan cognitif et affectif ainsi que pour la qualité de vie des êtres humains. Cependant, ce sens a longtemps été négligé dans le champ du polyhandicap. Trois études portant sur les habiletés olfactives de 20 à 22 enfants et jeunes polyhandicapés ont permis de mettre en évidence leurs capacités à détecter des odeurs, à manifester des réactions de plaisir ou de déplaisir en fonction de la nature plaisante ou non des odeurs, ainsi qu’à s’habituer à une odeur présentée de manière répétée et rapprochée dans le temps. Ces résultats permettent d’encourager les milieux accompagnant ces personnes à utiliser davantage les odeurs à des fins d’étayage affectif et d’apprentissage.