Why We Need an Assessment Toolkit
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, we need a diverse range of assessment tools, each offering something different yet equally valuable. We need them all.
The Benefits of Full Sensory Integration Assessment when Creating Occupationally Focused Goals for Autistic Adults with a Learning Disability
Vikki Ford-Powell
The importance of a comprehensive assessment
Thank you to the families who gave consent and our secret blogger OT for this contribution. “A little while ago, two mums approached me and both asked about assessments for their children. Both were young adults, academically highly able and struggling with their self-organisation and motor skills. Both young people consented to an assessment and […]
PANDAS and PANS Update
Thank you to everyone who has messaged me about my earlier. article about PANDAS and PANS for more evidence to support the earlier post. Research Evidence: from https://www.panspandasuk.org/resources PANS PHYSICIAN’S NETWORK TREATMENT GUIDELINES These guidelines were first published in May 2018 following several meetings between the PANS Physicians’ Network UK (PPNUK) and the Charity PANS […]
Research into Practice: A study of safety and tolerability of rotatory vestibular input for preschool children
The answer to a question on SI4OT, a FB group for OT’s curated by our social media team, includes this interesting article. This study was focussing on the vestibular system, and the researchers tried to work out the exact amount of vestibular input needed in therapy. The results strongly suggest that it is very individualised […]
Post Rotary Nystagmus Adults
Norms for adults in the research include: Shuer, J., Clark, F. A., & Azen, S. P. (1980). Vestibular function in mildly mentally retarded adults. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 34(10), 664-670. ← Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the duration of nystagmus in mildly mentally retarded and normal adults as measured […]
CPD Update: Neurodevelopmental Soft Signs: Implications for Sensory Processing and Praxis Assessment—Part One
An interesting read, this AOTA CE Article links sensory integration and processing difficulties and higher functions linked to occupation and participation. A table in the article links types of neurodevelopmental soft signs (NSS) in Occupational Therapy evaluation and underlying brain areas implicated in the literature, commenting that “Integrating clinical observations of NSS with advanced brain-based […]
What is Ayres’ Sensory Integration Therapy?
At ASI Wise, to avoid confusion, we use the term sensory integration and processing difficulties. Different terms are used in different places to describe sensory integration difficulties. Some therapists may use sensory processing difficulties instead. Some may even use sensory processing disorder. We currently have a robust test, the SIPT, that allows us to describe […]
Workshop: Ayres’ Sensory Integration, Trauma and Wellbeing
Our three days workshop is a “great opportunity to reflect on clinical practice and learn new skills”. Find out more about the application of Ayres’ Sensory Integration beyond childhood to support health and wellbeing. We can also offer 2 or 3 day onsite bespoke training and consultation for your organisation to support the development of […]
Choosing Wisely ® and ASI – a fantastic initiative from AOTA – it got me thinking about why people think sensory is easy and just anyone can do it.
Just like a parent can decide a child has a cold and needs Calpol, a sensory rich home environment can help support development. However just like a child may need a Dr, Dentist or other specialist if they have a more serious illness, what some people need is specialist intervention. Sensory Integration therapy requires years […]