ASI Wise & Sensory Project Policy Statement

Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy

Alignment with National Priorities in Autism, Sensory Integration and Lifespan Support

ASI Wise & The Sensory Project welcome the findings of the House of Lords Select Committee report on the Autism Act. The report recognises the urgent need for early, personalised and co-produced approaches that appreciate sensory, relational and environmental differences as natural parts of human diversity. These principles have always guided our work.

We are committed to supporting systems to deliver the compassionate, preventative and accessible support called for in the next national autism strategy. Our tools and training offer practical, evidence-informed methods that help people feel safe, respected and able to participate in daily life in ways that honour their sensory preferences, strengths and identities.

New national guidance on autism and restrictive practices is a very welcome step. For too long, restraint-based techniques have been used in ways that can cause more harm than good, especially for autistic people and for anyone with a history of trauma. Families, staff and people with lived experience have been saying this for years. It is encouraging to see this now recognised at a national level in guidance that will shape future legislation, policy and practice.

At The Sensory Project, we have been championing the move away from restraint and other restrictive practices since 2006. From ASI Wise, we have embedded the same values across our Certificate in Ayres Sensory Integration and our MSc level modular programme. Our work in mental health and autism services has consistently shown that physical or chemical restraint, seclusion and long-term segregation do not teach regulation or coping. Instead, they often increase fear, shame and distress. They can damage trust, fracture relationships and leave both the person and staff feeling less safe, not more.

The direction of travel in the new guidance aligns with what we observe every day in practice. When we take a sensory-informed, trauma-informed and relational approach, and when we work in genuine co-production with the person and those who care about them, crises can often be prevented or reduced. People feel better understood, have more choice and control, and can build their own personalised ways to stay regulated and take part in everyday life. This is safer and kinder for everyone involved, including staff.

We are delighted to see these principles now reflected so clearly in national guidance. We hope that this momentum will support services across health, education, and social care in reducing and, wherever possible, eliminating the use of restraint and other restrictive practices, and investing instead in approaches that build safety, dignity, and participation.

Our commitment to co-production

Co-production is fundamental to everything we do.
We design all programmes and resources with autistic people, families, educators and professionals, ensuring lived experience shapes the language, visuals and practical steps in Sensory Ladders, Sensory Spiders and Sensory Grids.

This shared approach reflects the report’s expectation that autistic people should guide design, delivery and evaluation of the support that affects their lives. Our tools are co-created so that people have ownership, voice and agency throughout.

Our focus on sensory integration across the lifespan

We recognise that sensory integration and processing shape how people experience, navigate and participate in the world. These sensory patterns are diverse and meaningful.

Our work supports individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, adults and older adults. The tools are designed to be adaptable for education, mental health, social care and community settings. This aligns with the report’s emphasis on consistent support that extends beyond childhood and strengthens transitions across life stages.

Our contributions to early, preventative and personalised support

Our tools help people and teams notice early shifts in sensory state and arousal and respond in ways that feel attuned, respectful and relational. This supports natural self-regulation, reduces overwhelm and builds confidence within daily routines.

These approaches address national priorities around:

• early help
• personalised and co-produced support
• reasonable adjustments
• reduction of restrictive practices
• accessible pathways following diagnosis or without diagnosis

This preventative, relationship-centred approach reflects a neuroaffirming understanding of sensory needs and participation.

Sensory Ladders

Co-created visual tools that support people to recognise and share their sensory and emotional states. They guide personalised strategies, strengthen relational understanding and help teams respond early and gently.

Sensory Spiders

Clear, collaborative maps of sensory needs and preferences. They help educators, health teams, families and community organisations create environments that fit the person, reducing sensory load and supporting meaningful participation.

Sensory Grids

Practical frameworks that translate shared understanding into everyday actions. They guide environmental, relational and occupational responses that respect the person’s sensory identity and enhance their sense of safety and agency.

Our support for inclusive environments

We champion sensory-informed design that recognises the importance of safety, predictability, comfort and autonomy. Our work draws on universal design principles and standards for neuroinclusive environments. This enables schools, NHS services and community organisations to create spaces where sensory differences are acknowledged and supported, not pathologised.

Our role in strengthening multidisciplinary practice

We offer shared language and tools that support attuned, collaborative practice across education, mental health, social care and community services. Our resources encourage teams to understand the person’s sensory experiences and work together in ways that reduce fragmentation, prevent avoidable distress and address health inequalities.

Our dedication to evidence-informed and person-led practice

Our work is grounded in Ayres Sensory Integration, embodied participation, neuroscience and occupational science. We remain committed to ongoing research, reflective practice, community partnership and international collaboration.

Our priority is to ensure our tools remain accessible, respectful and aligned with lived experience. Anything we create is shaped by the people who use it.

Our offer to systems and commissioners

ASI Wise & The Sensory Project provide:

• high-quality training for multidisciplinary teams
• co-produced sensory tools grounded in lived experience
• consultancy on creating sensory-informed environments
• guidance for post-diagnostic and preventative support pathways
• accessible resources for families, educators and clinicians
• programmes that strengthen local and national strategies

Our commitment going forward.

We stand ready to support systems to deliver a strategy that values dignity, autonomy, participation and relational understanding. Our work offers practical, scalable and neuroaffirming solutions that align with national priorities and help services turn the report’s recommendations into meaningful action.