The Evaluation Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) is a new assessment tool being developed to use to evaluate Sensory Integration difficulties and dysfunctions.
5 December 2019
Statement on the incorporation of the EASI into SAISI’s training
What is the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI)?
The Evaluation Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) is a new diagnostic, and descriptive assessment tool, based on the work of Jean Ayres, that has been developed to assess the key functions of sensory integration. The EASI was developed in response to the need for an affordable and accessible; globally relevant; reliable and valid assessment of sensory integrative function; which is standardised and norm-referenced for use internationally (Mailloux, Parham, Smith Roley, Ruzzano, & Schaaf, 2018). The influence of culture, language, comprehension and prior experience was minimised as far as possible and the EASI has norms based on the performance of children internationally. The preliminary norms are based on 2300 international children and are already available whilst the final norms will be based on between 6500-7000 children from over 60 countries. South Africa formed part of the International Normative Data Collection process which means that a representative sample of our children is included in the norms, which makes it a much fairer and just test to use for South African children.
Why use the EASI?
The advantage of the EASI is that because it is standardised on an international representative sample, it is appropriate for use in a developing country such as South Africa. The test was also developed with costs in mind and is a much more affordable test than the SIPT for us here in South Africa. Scoring is done on an electronic platform and a minimal annual fee is payable allowing the testing of an unlimited number of children.
How and when will SAISI introduce the EASI?
It is important to take note that the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) remain an assessment tool that can be used if so preferred. Due to the costs involved in the SIPT and the fact that South African children now form part of the norms of the EASI, SAISI has decided to start introducing the EASI as part of their training courses in 2022. Training in the administration and scoring of the EASI process is done in collaboration with the Collaborative for Leadership in Sensory Integration (CLASI), incorporating their online training Module 2 and Face to Face Module 3 in our four-course series. Members starting their ASI journey will start training with the EASI whilst there will also be a period of conversion for those members still busy training with the SIPT. A conversion process was also put into place for those members who were trained with the SIPT but who would like to train in the use of the EASI. The SIPT/EASI conversion process will be open until 2024, whereafter fully SIPT and ASI® trained occupational therapists who wish to convert to the EASI, will be able to attend SASIC 2: M2 (asynchronous online as it stands at present), but SASIC2: M3, and SASIC 3 courses will then have to be attended onsite, which will be offered at a reduced rate.
How does the conversion process to the EASI work?
Occupational therapists who are already trained in the administration and interpretation of the SIPT will be able to go through a conversion process to administer and interpret the EASI. The conversion training commenced in 2022. The conversion courses include the CLASI online Module 2 and then an online one-and-a-half-day course focusing on the interpretation of the EASI and Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) results.
After completion of the online conversion courses, participants will be required to test two typically developing children, and one child with suspected sensory integration difficulties, to demonstrate competence in the administration of the EASI. After completion of the online training and testing of cases, a certificate of competence in the administration of the EASI will be issued by SAISI.
What will be the cost of the conversion process?
The cost of conversion will be kept to a minimum. We have negotiated the costs of the online training with CLASI to offer conversion training to therapists who have already done their training through SAISI at the lowest possible rate. The conversion training will occur online; therefore, no travel and accommodation costs will be involved in the conversion process for participants.
Furthermore, administration and scoring of the EASI itself will be much more affordable, due to:
- Minimal costs involved in the scoring of the EASI on the online EASI Scoring Platform (ESP). It will be in the region of 50 USD per year and an unlimited number of children can be tested.
- Test materials can be compiled by therapists themselves if they so choose. The only test materials that have to be ordered through SAISI are the 3D-printed tactile shapes as they have to be printed by an accredited 3D printer.
- Test sheets are downloadable free of charge to trained users and can either be printed or in the near future, scored on a mobile device.
These factors will all contribute to making the conversion training as accessible and affordable as possible.
Conclusion:
We are excited about the EASI and the extent to which it will make assessment of sensory integration accessible to more children. SAISI feels honoured to be actively involved in the process of standardising the first test in pediatric occupational therapy with international norms.
For more information please contact the SAISI office