How Ayres Sensory Integration Supports Children with ADHD

Comprehensive Effects of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration® in Children With ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Trial | Büşra Kaplan Kılıç; Gonca Bumin; Hakan Öğütlü; Mehmet Hakan Türkçapar

New Research Spotlight: How Ayres Sensory Integration Supports Children with ADHD

We are delighted to share a critical study that significantly strengthens the evidence base for Ayres Sensory Integration when working with children who have ADHD. Families and therapists have long described the positive changes they see when children receive sensory-informed occupational therapy. This research helps confirm those experiences in a rigorous and thoughtful way.

In this randomised controlled study, children aged 6 to 8 who received occupational therapy based on Ayres Sensory Integration showed significant improvements in sensorimotor skills, attention, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and everyday participation. These are the foundations that shape how a child learns, plays, and navigates their world.

What feels especially encouraging is that the children receiving OT–ASI made meaningful gains across every measure, while those on the waiting list did not show the same changes. It is another reminder of how powerful the right sensory experiences can be when offered through collaborative, child-led intervention.

For anyone supporting a child with ADHD, this study helps shine a hopeful light. It shows that sensory integration and processing are not just background factors. They are central to how a child feels, focuses, and participates.

Key Takeaways

A new study reinforces the effectiveness of Ayres Sensory Integration® in children with ADHD.
Children aged 6 to 8 receiving sensory-informed therapy showed significant improvements in various skills.
The study found meaningful gains in children receiving occupational therapy compared to those on a waiting list.
Sensory integration is crucial for how a child with ADHD feels, focuses, and participates in daily activities.