Ayres Sensory Integration®

Supporting regulation, function and participation – through play and neuroscience

At Children’s Sensory Therapy, we offer Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) — a neuroscience-informed, play-based therapy approach that helps children make sense of the sensory information from their body and environment. This therapy supports the development of emotional regulation, sensory processing, and functional everyday skills, all through carefully tailored activities in our purpose-built sensory rooms.

What Is Sensory Integration?

Sensory integration (or sensory processing) is the brain’s ability to receive, organise and respond to sensory input from both the body and the environment. It helps us interpret what we see, hear, touch, taste, smell, and feel from our muscles and joints (proprioception), balance system (vestibular), and internal sensations (interoception).

Put simply: sensory integration is how we experience the world and how we use that information to function — whether it’s eating, dressing, playing, socialising, learning, or simply getting through the day.

 

How Does Ayres Sensory Integration® Help?

Developed by Dr A. Jean Ayres, an occupational therapist and educational psychologist, Ayres Sensory Integration® is a specialised intervention that supports children whose sensory integration has not developed as smoothly as expected.

Some children process sensory information in ways that make it harder to feel safe, calm, or confident in everyday life. This can impact how they learn, move, connect with others, and take part in day-to-day tasks.

ASI therapy helps by:

  • Providing meaningful, playful activities that challenge and engage the brain’s sensory systems
  • Encouraging adaptive responses that build body awareness, emotional regulation, and coordination
  • Supporting the development of functional skills, like self-care, attention, motor planning, and participation in routines
  • Enabling children to feel more ‘in sync’ with their body and the world around them

A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach

Our approach is always child-led, neurodiversity-affirming, and rooted in trauma-informed and attachment-aware practice. We are not trying to change the child — we’re here to understand and support them. We help children learn how to feel more comfortable in their bodies, build confidence, and navigate the world with greater ease.

What Happens in Therapy?

Therapy sessions take place in our specialist sensory rooms, designed to offer the right balance of stimulation, challenge and support. Sessions may include:

  • Active movement and climbing
  • Balance and postural activities
  • Tactile and deep pressure input
  • Opportunities for problem-solving, imagination, and motor planning
  • Individualised strategies to support daily routines at home and school

Everything we do is guided by a detailed assessment process and underpinned by evidence-based practice.

 

Who Might Benefit from ASI?

Children with sensory integration challenges may experience:

  • Over-sensitivity or under-responsivity to sound, touch, movement, or other sensory inputs
  • Frequent meltdowns or shutdowns linked to sensory overload
  • Poor coordination or difficulties with everyday motor tasks
  • Challenges with attention, focus, or emotional regulation
  • Avoidance of messy play, noisy environments, or busy classrooms
  • Seeking constant movement or sensory input to stay regulated

Sensory integration differences are common in children who are autistic, have ADHD, a history of trauma, or other neurodevelopmental conditions — but they can also occur without any formal diagnosis.

Trained Professionals You Can Trust

Ayres Sensory Integration® should only be delivered by professionals who have completed specialist postgraduate training. All our therapists delivering ASI are qualified Occupational Therapists with accredited postgrad training in sensory integration.

We work closely with families, schools, and wider support networks to ensure that what we do in therapy makes a difference in daily life.

Learn More

We know that sensory differences can have a significant impact on family life — and we’re here to help.
Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss an assessment, or find out more about how Ayres Sensory Integration® could support your child.

We also offer training and workshops for parents, educators and professionals to increase awareness and understanding of sensory needs in everyday settings.