What is sensory integration?

Sensory integration, also known as sensory processing, refers to the neurological process by which the brain receives, organises, and interprets sensory information from the body and environment. This process helps us experience, understand, and respond appropriately to sensory inputs.

Key Points:

Sensory integration involves senses such as: vision, hearing (auditory), touch (tactile), taste (gustatory), smell (olfactory), body awareness (proprioception), balance and movement (vestibular), and internal body sensations (interoception).

It is an automatic process essential for everyday activities like dressing, eating, moving, socialising, learning, and working.

Sensory integration develops naturally through typical childhood activities, but some individuals experience difficulties processing sensory information, which can affect behaviour, learning, and daily participation.

Sensory integration difficulties (sometimes called sensory processing disorder or SPD) can be seen in individuals with various conditions, including autism, ADHD, and developmental coordination disorder.

The concept was first developed by Dr A Jean Ayres in the 1960s–70s, who defined it as: "The neurological process that organises sensation from one's own body and from the environment and makes it possible to use the body effectively with the environment." (Ayres, 1972)

Sensory Integration Therapy (Ayres Sensory Integration®) is a specialised, evidence-based therapy provided by qualified practitioners to help individuals with sensory integration challenges.

For more information, visit our What is Sensory Integration? page.

The term Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is sometimes used in the US, but not usually in the UK. We use the term sensory integration and processing differences.

Learn more:

• What is sensory integration? — a detailed explanation of sensory processing and integration
• SIE Resources — resources for understanding sensory processing difficulties
• Find an SI Therapist — search for qualified sensory integration therapists near you

If you're wondering whether your child has sensory processing difficulties, here are some key points to consider based on sensory integration principles.

Useful links:

• What is sensory integration? — learn more about sensory processing difficulties and signs
• Find an SI Therapist — search for a qualified sensory integration therapist near you
• Free sensory resources for parents — practical resources and downloads
• Sensory Inclusion Facilitator Certificate — an introductory course for understanding and supporting sensory differences

If you need specific guidance or support, consulting a sensory integration practitioner is recommended. They can provide an individualised assessment and intervention plan tailored to your child's needs.

Sensory processing differences can be assessed by qualified Sensory Integration (SI) Practitioners.

For more information or to find a qualified therapist, visit our Find an SI Therapist page.

Ayres' Sensory Integration® (ASI) is a theory and therapeutic approach developed by Dr A Jean Ayres in the late 1960s and 1970s.

What is Ayres' Sensory Integration® (ASI)?

• Definition: ASI is a neurological process that organises sensation from one's own body and from the environment, making it possible to use the body effectively within the environment (Ayres, 1972).
• Core concept: It explains how the brain takes in sensory information from multiple senses — vision, auditory, tactile, gustatory, olfactory, proprioception, vestibular, and interoception — processes and integrates this information, then produces appropriate responses that enable participation in daily activities like dressing, eating, moving, learning, and socialising.
• Development: Sensory integration develops naturally during childhood through ordinary activities. However, some individuals experience difficulties in processing and integrating sensory information, which can affect behaviour, learning, and participation.
• Therapeutic approach: ASI therapy is a structured, evidence-based intervention carried out by qualified sensory integration practitioners (occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, or physiotherapists with specialised postgraduate training). It includes carefully designed activities that provide sensory input in a way that supports the brain's ability to process and integrate sensations.
• Fidelity and adaptation: ASI therapy follows specific principles and fidelity measures to ensure effectiveness, but practitioners creatively adapt interventions to fit different clinical settings and client needs.
• Legacy: Dr Ayres was an occupational therapist and educational psychologist whose work forms the foundation for sensory integration therapy used worldwide today.

Learn more:

• What is Sensory Integration? — detailed information about sensory integration and Ayres' Sensory Integration®
• Postgraduate SI Training — explore training in sensory integration

Sensory integration therapy may help individuals with autism who experience sensory processing difficulties.

• Many autistic individuals experience sensory processing differences, which can affect their behaviour, learning, and participation in everyday activities.
• Sensory Integration (SI) therapy, specifically Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI), is an evidence-based practice recognised for supporting people with autism.
• SI therapy is delivered by qualified SI practitioners — usually occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, or physiotherapists with specialised postgraduate training.
• Therapy includes structured sensory input, movement therapy, balance treatments, and customised activities that help the brain process sensory information more effectively.
• Practitioners often collaborate with families, schools, and other professionals to create sensory supports, including personalised activities and environmental modifications to support sensory needs throughout daily life.
• Research studies and systematic reviews support the effectiveness of ASI therapy in helping autistic children achieve meaningful improvements in sensory processing and related functions.

Important points:

• Sensory integration differences are common but not universal in autism.
• Therapy must be delivered by qualified SI practitioners trained in assessment and intervention.
• Small environmental or routine changes can significantly improve participation and comfort.

Useful links:

• Find an SI Therapist — search for a qualified sensory integration therapist near you
• What is Sensory Integration? — learn about sensory integration and autism
• Postgraduate SI Training — training for therapists in sensory integration
• Courses for parents and professionals — sensory informed practice and autism

Sensory Strategies for Classroom and Workplace

Individuals may be over-responsive, under-responsive, or have mixed sensory processing differences that affect their comfort, focus, and participation. Small environmental changes can make a big difference.

Create a sensory-inclusive environment by adjusting lighting (natural or soft light rather than harsh fluorescents), reducing noise levels or offering noise-cancelling headphones, providing quiet zones for breaks, and using visual supports and clear signage for structure and predictability.

Support movement and self-regulation by allowing regular movement breaks, providing fidget tools or sensory toys, and considering flexible seating options such as stability balls or wobble cushions where appropriate.

Adapt tasks and routines by breaking work into smaller steps, using multi-sensory approaches, and allowing flexibility in how tasks are completed — for example, standing versus sitting or using preferred tools.

Collaborate with an SI Practitioner to develop a personalised sensory diet — tailored activities and accommodations to meet individual sensory needs throughout the day.

Train and educate staff so that teachers, employers, and colleagues understand sensory processing differences and can contribute to an inclusive, supportive culture.

Resources and Training

• Sensory Inclusion Facilitator Certificate — helps professionals recognise, support, and adapt for sensory processing differences
• Sensory Inclusive Schools — resources and courses for creating sensory-friendly learning environments
• Free sensory resources — practical tips and tools

Courses for Parents, Teachers, and Professionals

Sensory Integration Education offers a range of courses designed to help parents, teachers, and other professionals understand sensory integration difficulties and learn practical strategies to support individuals at home, school, and work.

The Sensory Inclusion Facilitator Certificate combines an online course, live workshops, and assessment to become a Certified Sensory Inclusion Facilitator — equipping you to recognise sensory processing differences and adapt your approach in school or workplace settings.

SIE also offers short courses, webinars, and workshops covering sensory strategies, sensory diets, and creating sensory-friendly environments for educators, parents, and carers.

Additional resources and programmes:

• Free resources and guides — practical support for understanding and responding to sensory processing differences
• Sensory Inclusive Schools — training and resources to support sensory-friendly learning environments
• Sensory Help Now — free expert guidance for parents and carers from sensory specialists

To become a certified sensory integration practitioner, occupational therapists and other eligible professionals must complete postgraduate training in sensory integration.

SIE's Postgraduate Programme in Sensory Integration offers this pathway, with specific entry conditions applying.

Yes, adults can have sensory processing difficulties. Sensory integration challenges are not limited to children — they can affect people throughout their lives, including adolescents and adults.

Adults may experience over-responsivity (heightened sensitivity) or under-responsivity (reduced sensitivity) to sensory inputs such as touch, sound, movement, or visual stimuli. These differences can affect daily life, work, social interactions, and emotional wellbeing. Sensory processing difficulties can occur alongside conditions such as autism, ADHD, OCD, or learning disabilities, but they can also occur independently.

Sensory integration practitioners use assessment tools and tailored interventions to help adults manage sensory processing challenges, and can recommend strategies and accommodations to improve comfort and functioning at home, work, and in social environments.

Resources for adults:

• Managing sensory processing differences as an adult
• Find a qualified sensory integration practitioner
• Courses and resources for adults

A Sensory Integration (SI) Practitioner is a health or social care professional trained to assess and support people whose sensory processing differences affect their everyday life. Using specialist assessment tools and evidence-informed approaches, they work to understand each person's unique sensory needs — supporting individuals to participate, move, and interact in ways that feel more comfortable.

Sensory integration is the brain's automatic process of receiving, organising, and interpreting information from our senses — including vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell, proprioception, vestibular sense, and interoception — so that we can respond appropriately to our body and environment. For some people, differences in how they process sensory input affect their coordination, concentration, regulation, or ability to manage daily routines.

Because the titles "SI Practitioner" and "Sensory Integration Practitioner (Advanced)" are not legally protected, it's important to understand what these titles mean and how to identify someone with the depth of training and clinical experience that SIE endorses.

An SI Practitioner can assess how a person's sensory systems are functioning and provide individualised support to help manage challenges arising from sensory differences, including advocating for appropriate accommodations. 

Their work may include conducting detailed sensory assessments using standardised tools, developing and delivering Ayres Sensory Integration® therapy or sensory integration-informed interventions, supporting individuals with sensory processing differences related to autism, learning disability, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), ADHD, attachment, or trauma, and advising families, schools, or healthcare teams on sensory strategies to promote participation and wellbeing.

SI Practitioners support children, young people, and adults who experience sensory processing differences, including over- or under-responsivity to sensory input such as sound, touch, or movement, challenges with coordination, balance, and fine motor skills, and difficulties with attention, regulation, or participation. 

Through sensory experiences and tailored environmental or task adaptations, they help individuals build more effective sensory processing, enabling improved learning, confidence, and participation.

A Sensory Inclusion Facilitator is a professional or staff member trained to make spaces and activities more accessible for people with diverse sensory processing preferences. 

While not a clinical role, Sensory Inclusion Facilitators use their knowledge of sensory processing to adapt environments, routines, tasks, and communication to promote inclusion and comfort for everyone. 

Staff working in or with schools can qualify as a Sensory Inclusion Facilitator for Education.