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Full History

In 1979, Marj Concha, an occupational therapist from the University of the Witwatersrand, invited Pat Wilbarger, an occupational therapist from the United States, to introduce occupational therapists in South Africa to Sensory Integration. The first Sensory Integration Theory Course was presented that same year. In 1981, the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI) was officially formed. Zelia Kotkin, Barbara-Stewart, Elna Jooste and Joy Varney Blackburn were instrumental in the foundation years of SAISI.

During SAISI’s first decade, the focus was primarily on establishing sensory integration training processes for occupational therapists. Annual courses in sensory integration theory, testing, and interpretation of the Southern Californian Sensory Integration Test (SCIST), as well as sensory integration treatment, were developed.

Although it has undergone many facelifts over the years, the SAISI newsletter still remains one of SAISI’s flagships. It played a vital role in keeping members informed about local news and international research developments in the field of Ayres Sensory Integration®, with contributions from both South Africa and abroad.

In 1985, SAISI produced its first Clinical Observations training video, based on the work of Dr Jean Ayres, founder of Ayres Sensory Integration®. The following year, in 1986, the first introductory course on Sensory Integration for adult psychiatric patients was held in South Africa.

In 1988, SAISI investigated the use of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT), but due to costs and logistical constraints—final scoring had to be done by Western Psychological Services (WPS) in Los Angeles—it was deemed impractical for use in South Africa at that time.

In SAISI’s second decade, 1996 marked a significant milestone for SAISI when it co-organised the first SI-NDT International Congress, in collaboration with SANDTA, held in Cape Town. The second SI-NDT Congress, titled “In Touch with SI Worldwide – Under African Skies,” took place in 2003, during which SAISI also published the Clinical Observations of Gross Motor Items.

In 2006, during its third decade, SAISI entered negotiations with WPS regarding the use of the SIPT® in South Africa. Thanks to the efforts of Susanne Smith Roley from the US, these negotiations were successful. In October 2006, the first SIPT® conversion course was held for 60 occupational therapists certified in using the SCSIT®, allowing them to convert to the SIPT®. Zoe Mailloux, an instructor from the University of Southern California and Western Psychological Services (USC/WPS), presented this first conversion course. Over the following years, SAISI, in collaboration with USC/WPS, presented their own Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) courses.

In 2008, the International Coalition for Education in Sensory Integration was founded, with SAISI playing a part. The founding organisations—USC/WPS (USA), SI-network (UK and Ireland), SAISI (South Africa), SI Finland, and GSIO (Austria)—aimed to demonstrate their shared understanding of sensory integration and common standards for their training curricula. Despite regional differences, all member organisations maintained a consistent level of training aligned with Ayres Sensory Integration®.

In 2009, SAISI received accreditor status for the presentation of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activities.

Research conducted by Dr Annamarie van Jaarsveld, in collaboration with SAISI, explored the use of the SIPT® with South African children. The study, which included 775 typically developing children, indicated that with some adaptations for children aged six and older, the SIPT® could be used effectively in South Africa. An article on this research was published in the December 2012 edition of the South African Journal of Occupational Therapy.

In 2010, SAISI expanded its reach to other allied health professionals, allowing them to attend the SASIC 1 theory course to deepen their understanding of the neuroscience underlying sensory integration.

In its fourth decade, SAISI celebrated 30 years in 2011. After attending the European Sensory Integration Congress in Birmingham, SAISI submitted a bid to host the first-ever International Sensory Integration Congress (ISIC). The bid was successful, and ISIC was held in Cape Town in 2018. It was a resounding success, and ISIC is now hosted annually across the globe.

SAISI also became involved in the process of standardising the Evaluation for Ayres Sensory Integration® (EASI) with international norms and played an instrumental role in contributing to data collection for its development.

In its fifth decade, “Roots for Growing” marked the realisation of the EASI® as the newest assessment tool developed to evaluate sensory integration difficulties and dysfunctions. Its key advantage is its standardisation, which includes an internationally representative sample, making it suitable for use in developing countries like South Africa and enabling broader access to sensory integration assessments for children.

SAISI played an instrumental role in the process of standardising the EASI® with international norms and contributed to data collection for its development. Since 2021, occupational therapists have transitioned from the SIPT® to the EASI®, and many therapists pursuing their Ayres Sensory Integration® qualifications have been trained to use the EASI®.

The online workshop Intro to SI (Introduction to Ayres Sensory Integration®) was created by SAISI and published in 2023. Available for purchase on SAISI’s website, this workshop consists of five 30-minute sessions. It offers parents, educators, and dedicated professionals—including young occupational therapists—a deeper understanding of sensory integration, from its foundational principles to its application in the daily lives of both children and adults.

From its humble beginnings in 1981, SAISI has grown into a respected leader in sensory integration training and research, both locally and internationally. Through its dedication to high standards of education, collaboration with global experts, and continuous innovation, SAISI has empowered occupational therapists and other professionals to transform lives across diverse populations within the context of South Africa. With a rich legacy and a forward-looking vision, SAISI continues to shape the future of sensory integration in South Africa and beyond.