When using Ayres’ Sensory Integration Frame of Reference, and Not Just a Single Test or Questionnaire
Assessment is never a one-size-fits-all process in Sensory Integration (SI) practice. Each person’s sensory world is unique – shaped by their body, brain, environment, and lived experience. To truly understand a person’s sensory integration and processing is essential. And not just a single test or questionnaire – in assessment using the Ayres’ Sensory Integration frame of reference, we need a diverse range of assessment tools, each offering something different yet equally valuable. We need them all. And we will pick the best ones for the person we are assessing. Different tools are needed to reflect the diverse needs of the people we might assess.
From standardised assessments with normative data – like the EASI or SIPT – to norm-referenced caregiver or self-report questionnaires, these tools help us measure, compare, and gain insight into patterns of sensory functioning. They give us solid data to support our hypotheses and guide intervention planning. This ensures we are not relying on just a single test or questionnaire in assessment using an Ayres’ Sensory Integration frame of reference.
But structured tools alone aren’t enough. That’s where clinical observations come in – both structured (using specific protocols) and unstructured (watching how a person moves, reacts, and participates). We look at real-world activity and occupational performance, gathering insight into how sensory challenges appear in everyday life. This is critical when conducting an assessment using Ayres’ Sensory Integration methods.
We value and integrate the narratives and stories of the people we work with, especially their use of metaphors and their lived experiences. This approach assists us in fully understanding the assessment using Ayres’ Sensory Integration methods.
A narrative that helps someone express what it feels like to live in their own body offers a depth and richness that no checklist can capture. This enriches our understanding of the individual’s sensory world.
For those unable to self-report, interviews with parents, family carers, or paid carers are essential. This collaborative approach ensures that the individual’s unique sensory experiences and unmet needs are fully understood and considered in assessment using Ayres’ Sensory Integration techniques.
We use occupational and participation-based tools that centre the person’s roles, routines, and goals. This helps us understand the so-what of sensory differences and how they impact everyday life.
Finally, there are visual, collaborative tools like Sensory Ladders, Sensory Spiders, and Sensory Grids. These co-produced representations of what it feels like. These tools help people (and those around them) understand sensory patterns, regulation states, and support strategies. These tools are invaluable for building shared language and supporting self-awareness across all ages and abilities.
Sensory integration isn’t just a test score—it’s a window into participation, connection, and being in the world. This comprehensive approach is essential in assessment using Ayres’ Sensory Integration.
