+ What is the EASI?

The Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration® is a set of tests which measure the core constructs of Ayres Sensory Integration (i.e., sensory perception; ocular, postural, & bilateral integration; praxis; and sensory reactivity.) The tests will be “open access” meaning that appropriately trained professionals will be able to obtain the files needed for printing the test sheets, test forms, test manual and can obtain the other materials needed for administering and scoring the tests, without copyright restrictions and outside of a “for-profit” model. The EASI is designed to assess children ages 3-12 years of age, with comparison to international normative data sample.

+ Which professions can be trained in and use the EASI?

Dr. Ayres’ training as an occupational therapist had great influence on the way she developed sensory integration theory, therefore, this approach is primarily an occupational therapy intervention. However, Dr. Ayres also recognized that physical therapy and speech-language therapy graduate level educational programs also prepared those therapists for applying the ASI approach appropriately. In addition, Dr. Ayres was a licensed psychologist who relied on her training in that domain to recognize the power of psychometrically sound assessments and research studies. With Dr. Ayres’ perspective in mind, CLASI Modules 2 & 3 are open to healthcare professionals with at least bachelor level equivalent college/university degrees in occupational therapy, speech pathology, physical therapy, psychology, or medicine.

+ Who can use and access scoring for the EASI?

To maintain standards and to avoid misuse of the EASI, access to the scoring program is only available to qualified professionals who have completed training in the tests. The current requirement is completion of Modules 2 and 3 from the Collaborative for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI). The first group of testers was enrolled in September 2022, and review and enrollment of additional groups is underway and will occur continually. EASI normative data collectors who test and have verified scores on at least 5 children, by December 31, 2022, have received or will receive a Certificate of Equivalence for CLASI modules 2 & 3 which also provides eligibility for enrollment in the ESP.

+ How much does the EASI cost?

The EASI authors, Zoe Mailloux, Susanne Smith Roley, and Diane Parham, developed the EASI with the help of countless international volunteers. Since the EASI was developed to increase accessibility and equity in the availability of comprehensive assessments for children worldwide, the tests are offered in a non-profit model. Professionals who are trained on the EASI will be able to gather their own test materials from regular stores and online sources. It is estimated that the cost of EASI test materials and storage containers will be approximately $200-$300 USD, which includes the current cost of the 3D printed shapes, available from numerous verified 3D printers around the world. While the first year of scoring is free, to sustain the scoring platform, there will be an annual fee or $50 USD for unlimited access to EASI scoring.

+ How long will it take to administer and score the EASI?

The current version of the EASI does not yet include basal or ceiling levels by age, nor discontinuation criteria (all of which will be included when the final norms are collected and analyzed). The current time needed to administer the full set of 20 tests is estimated at 2.5 to 3 hours, typically split over two sessions. Once the tests are finalized, we expect that proficient testers will be able to administer and score the tests in 1 to 1.5 hour.

+ Does the EASI replace the SIPT?

Dr. Ayres was committed to careful assessment throughout her career and the trajectory of ASI has a long and rich history of evolution in the development of evaluation tools. We view the EASI as part of that evolution and expect that additional assessment tools will be developed in the future. The SIPT was the last set of a long series of tests that Dr. Ayres developed. They set the standard for performance testing in sensory integration, and they will continue to be useful tools. The EASI will assess all the functions measured by the SIPT, plus additional sensory integrative functions not included in the SIPT. The EASI covers a broader age range (3-12 years versus 4-8 years), has international norms, and is made available outside of a “for-profit” model”, with the goal of facilitating access to comprehensive assessment for all children. Professionals will decide which tools best fit the needs of their clinical practices.

+ I was trained on the SIPT. Will I need additional training to use the EASI?

Although it is common for professionals to refer to themselves as being “SIPT certified” or SIPT trained,” most ASI related training programs in this century (i.e., since 2000) have emphasized the full ASI framework from theory through intervention. This is true for programs which meet international standards. Professionals who completed ASI certification programs which included the SIPT can continue to use the knowledge and skills they achieved in that training. Use of the EASI will require additional training. Completion of CLASI Modules 2 & 3 is required for accessing the ESP.

+ I am participating in EASI normative data collection. Will I need additional training to receive a certificate in ASI?

EASI normative data collectors who have submitted at least 5 data sets receive a certificate of equivalency for CLASI Modules 2 & 3, once data entries are verified. These individuals will also have met the requirements for using the ESP. The CLASI Certificate in ASI includes 6 modules, so the other 4 modules must be completed to receive the full Certificate in ASI. CLASI partners with many international organizations which also offer Certificates in ASI. Specific requirements for each program should be verified with the program organizers.

+ Does the EASI Scoring Program follow confidentiality regulations (e.g., HIPAA and GDPR)?

The data housed in the EASI Scoring Program (ESP) is completely de-identified and no personal health information is stored in any way that could be linked to an individual (other than by the testing therapist who has access to the clients full record). The ESP is housed in Ireland which follows very strict guidelines. The ESP was developed by Concerto which is housed at Cambridge University in the UK. They shared with us the following: What matters is where you host the application and thus where the data is physically located from the perspective of jurisdiction. Ireland is the best choice for the reason that GDPR protections are superior to equivalent US laws.

To reiterate, the program will not contain any personal information, therefore data processing agreements are not needed. All testers are required to give parents/guardians a notification letter which gives them the option to opt out of the possibility that de-identified test scores could be used in future research projects.