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Our bodies take in and filter sensory information from the environment throughout each day. For some people, especially kids, their brain has difficulty organizing and responding to this information in a way that supports everyday activities. OT for sensory integration disorder identifies how sensory processing challenges affect function and develops individualized interventions that support participation.
Effective OT for sensory integration disorder begins with assessment, connecting sensory challenges to meaningful occupations and using individualized goals to guide intervention. Sensory integration therapy activities support client goals and are functional ways to engage children.
What can we do when our child's brain doesn’t process sensory information correctly? And is there any help when this happens? This article explores OT for sensory integration disorder, including what sensory integration is, sensory integration and other diagnoses, Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI), sensory processing treatment and goals, sensory diets, and sensory integration therapy activities.
What is sensory integration?
Sensory integration is the natural way our body sorts and filters sensory information from the environment. This includes our five senses (taste, smell, touch, hearing, and sight) plus our vestibular (movement), proprioceptive (awareness), and interoceptive (internal body cues such as hunger) systems.
When the brain struggles to smoothly organize the information it is receiving, this is called sensory processing disorder (SPD). SPD can impact a child’s daily function and participation, affecting learning, playing, sleeping, or engaging socially. When this happens, children and families are encouraged to seek help through OT for sensory integration disorder.
The term “sensory integration disorder” is sometimes used to describe sensory processing challenges, although sensory processing differences are not recognized as a standalone diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). OTs for sensory integration disorder evaluate how sensory processing challenges affect participation and performance.
How can OT help with sensory integration disorder?
OT for sensory integration disorder starts with understanding the child’s sensory processing needs. Occupational therapists use standardized assessments, caregiver interviews, clinical observations, and information about a child’s everyday routines to understand sensory processing patterns and needs. Through assessment, OTs can develop sensory processing disorder treatment plan goals, sensory integration therapy activities, and sensory diets.
Through meaningful sensory integration activities, such as sensory diets, OT for sensory processing disorder can help children regulate their central nervous systems and improve functional outcomes.
The goal of OT for sensory processing disorder is to support the child’s ability to participate in activities that matter to them. Occupational therapists help support children by using Ayres Sensory Integration® approach and other sensory processing activities.
What is the Ayres Sensory Integration® approach?
Ayres Sensory Integration® approach was developed by Dr. A. Jean Ayres. Ayres Sensory Integration ® (ASI) is an evidence-informed approach that addresses difficulties processing sensory information. Through “just right” challenges, ASI aims to improve a child’s adaptive responses to sensory input.
OT for sensory integration disorder can use ASI® to address a child's needs. ASI® should not be confused with a general collection of sensory-based activities. ASI® involves specific principles and intervention procedures.
A 2025 systematic review found good evidence supporting ASI® to improve participation in everyday activities for children with autism. Research is still developing, and outcomes should be considered in relation to individual clients and their goals.
The Collaborative for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI) has extensive information on ASI®, training, and resources.
How are sensory processing disorder treatment plan goals and activities developed?
Understanding sensory integration therapy can help families see what sensory integration therapy activities will look like. OT for sensory integration disorder is based on individual sensory processing treatment goals; an OT develops sensory processing therapy activities, including a sensory diet. Goals should describe functional outcomes such as self-care or classroom participation.
Examples of functional goals might include:
Increasing participation in dressing or grooming routines.
Improving engagement during classroom activities.
Increasing independence with transitions.
Participating in playground or community activities.
Completing work or school tasks with appropriate environmental supports.
Sensory integration therapy activities help to calm and organize a child’s central nervous system so they can participate in everyday tasks like hanging out with friends, brushing their teeth, or participating in class.
OT for sensory integration disorder should be individualized based on the child’s assessment. Assessment should include both formal and informal methods, and clinical observations.
Not all sensory processing difficulties may require intervention or sensory integration therapy activities. Sensory processing difficulties that impact daily function, including participation, should be addressed.
What is a sensory diet in occupational therapy?
OT for sensory integration disorder can include a sensory diet. A sensory diet is an individualized plan that incorporates sensory activities throughout a child’s day to help keep their central nervous system regulated and organized. This helps children who have sensory seeking behaviors.
Developed by the child’s OT and based on assessment and a child’s sensory processing disorder treatment plan and goals, a sensory diet helps to improve adaptive responses and can support sensory seeking behaviors. The goal of a sensory diet is to help improve central nervous system regulation to support participation in daily life.
A sensory diet in occupational therapy may include environmental modifications, movement, or strategies built into everyday routines or transitions.
Remember, sensory strategies are not automatically appropriate just because a child appears to seek out or avoid sensory input. A sensory diet should be monitored and modified by an occupational therapist based on participation and function.
A common question is “Can children have sensory integration difficulties and not be autistic?” The answer is yes children can have sensory integration difficulties alone, or they may overlap with other diagnoses such as autism, or ADHD. A sensory diet can help provide the support to a child’s central nervous system regardless of their diagnosis.
Important takeaways
Sensory integration disorder can impact children in different ways. It is important for a child who has sensory integration concerns to be evaluated by an occupational therapist. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) strongly recommends that sensory integration therapy activities not be recommended without assessment first.
An OT can help families navigate how to best support a child’s sensory integration needs. Through treatment and intervention, the child can make meaningful progress. Activities should be play-based and address individual needs.
Therapy activities can be part of an intervention plan, but they should have a clear purpose and connection to functional goals and in the case of children should be play based. Sensory integration therapy activities are not a universal prescription and must be reviewed as a child’s needs change.
Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) is a specific intervention approach that requires additional training and should be distinguished from general sensory-based strategies.
Ultimately, OT for sensory integration disorder is about helping children participate more fully in the activities that matter to them. Assessment, individualized goals, clinical reasoning, and ongoing measurement are what turn sensory strategies into meaningful occupational therapy interventions.
Sources
Cemali, Ö, Tiryaki, A, Y., Cemali, M., & Torpil, B. (2026). Effects of feeding behavior training on sensory processing and developmental areas in children with cerebral visual impairment: a randomized controlled study. Ital J Pidatr.
Kılıç, B. K., Bumin, G., Öğütlü, H., & Türkçapar, M. H. (2026). Comprehensive effects of occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration® in children with ADHD: A randomized controlled trial. Am J Occup Ther.
McGill, C. (2020) Can sensory integration have a role in multi-element behavioural intervention? An evaluation of factors associated with the management of challenging behaviour in community adult learning disability services. Wiley Online Library.
Piller, A., Conlin, J.M., Glennon, T. J., Andelin, L., Auld-Wright, K., et al. (2025). Systematic review of sensory-based interventions for children and youth (2015-2024). Front Pediatr.
Piller, A., Auld-Wright, K., Andelin, L., Glennon, T. J., Conlin, J. M., et al. (2025). Occupational therapy interventions using Ayres Sensory Integration® for children and youth (May 2015-January 2024). Am J Occup Ther.
Steinbrenner, J.R., Hume, K. Odom, S. L., Morin, K.L., Nowell, S. W., et al. (2020). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute.
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