Exploring the alignment between occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration® with children and...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy
• Pediatric Therapy
• Sensory Integration

Background:

• The alignment of Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) with the occupation-centered paradigm in occupational therapy is debated.
• Previous research has not explored the extent to which ASI implementation with children aligns with occupation-centered practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the alignment of Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) interventions with occupation-centered practice in pediatric occupational therapy.
• To identify components of occupation-centered practice that are consistently met or missed during ASI implementation.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study involving eight certified ASI occupational therapists.
• Data collection included online surveys, video-recorded session analysis, and semi-structured interviews.
• The occupation-centered practice checklist was used to rate observable and non-observable items.

Main Results:

• Alignment with occupation-centered practice varied among therapists, with partial uptake observed.
• Consistent implementation included identifying client concerns, building trust, and considering child's features.
• Inconsistent implementation included caregiver collaboration, co-created goals, occupational outcomes, broader context, and multiple theories.

Conclusions:

• ASI implementation can align with occupation-centered practice, but strengthening the occupational focus is needed.
• Therapists may benefit from occupation-centered practice training.
• A checklist can aid therapists in self-monitoring alignment with the occupation-centered paradigm.