Sensory Integration Education

The results of the SenITA:Sensory Integration Therapy vs usual care for children with ASD has been published online by NHS Health Research Authority. The SenITA study was a pragmatic randomised control trial comparing Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) therapy intervention with ‘usual care’ for children, aged 4–11 years with autism and sensory processing difficulty in England and Wales. The study examined the clinical and cost-effectiveness of ASI therapy for such children and included quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data. 

The SenITA Study results summary states: 

“Therapists delivered the Sensory Integration Therapy well. Carers and therapists said they saw some improvements. However, it was not significantly better than the usual care at improving children's behaviour and everyday functioning and is a more expensive option. We can’t say that Sensory Integration Therapy is helpful for all children with autism and different sensory processing difficulties. But it might be helpful for some children to focus on specific problems. Future work could focus on which children and problems it would help most.”

Rosalind Rogers, Chair of Sensory Integration Education, said:

“SIE welcomes all research that provides a better understanding of sensory integration informed interventions. Whilst disappointing that this RCT has not found ASI therapy to be better than standard care as available in the participants’ geographical areas, we would refer anyone commissioning therapy services for children with autism to also consider additional research findings. 

“For example, in 2020 the US-based Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, who lead the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice, published an updated systematic review of literature related to interventions for individuals with ASD. The Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder report recognised sensory integration therapy, specifically Ayres Sensory Integration, as ‘evidence-based practice’.

“A better understanding of how sensory integration therapy can be delivered more cost-effectively and accurately targeted will help support the adoption and availability of sensory integration informed interventions.”

Sensory Integration Education disseminates research and awards grants to support the development of evidence and best practice relating to sensory integration across the lifespan. Find out more about our researcher support services and grant awards here.