Exciting new Tool!
Helping therapists to communicate intricate, detailed information from evaluations to parents, teachers and caregivers.
As ASI®-trained OTs we have spent so much time learning and understanding the fundamentals of what Dr Jean Ayres and her scholars have proven over the years. I often see the initial confused faces of therapists attending our Theory course and the “aha” moments arriving a little later in the week. If it takes me, as a trained therapist, so much effort to grasp these complex concepts, how much more challenging for a parent, a teacher or a caregiver who is a novice in our field? Linking what we have evaluated to what the functional challenges are, is our job and responsibility, and communicating this, our challenge.
Over the years many models have been developed in an attempt to make a variety of complex information digestible. The most recent addition to these choices is the SAISI Model of Sensory Integration and Occupational Performance.
This model is partly based on the interpretation worksheet we use in our ASI® evaluation process and has some added-on icons to make understanding easier. It was initially developed as part of our online webinar for parents, teachers and caregivers: Introduction to ASI®. Please visit our website (Intro to SI) to access this webinar and get the model for free.
The model is layered from bottom to top, just the way we like to work in therapy. Starting with the Contextual factors (Environment and Personal) impacting the child or adult, one can explain how every situation elicits different reactions from us as well as how it creates different expectations for us.
I use this model to explain the two aspects to sensory integration: Sensory Reactivity and Sensory Perception. As each of these rows have icons depicting the different sensory systems involved, I can circle or colour-code the icons to help the explanation process. Yes, I have this model in my feedback sessions to guide the process (laminated to save a few trees!).
The layers following these two fundamentals are Sensory-motor development and Refined Motor skills which include Praxis. Now I can link my sensory systems and the challenges with regards to Reactivity or Perception to the Sensory-motor development and Refined Motor skills. I sometimes add in Visuo-praxis separately, depending on the case I need to explain. A lot of these Sensory-Motor skills are known to parents and teachers alike; they include Gross and Fine motor skills, Postural Control and Bilateral Coordination. Making the link between these skills and the two previous layers of Sensory Reactivity and Sensory Perception is powerful for novices to understand. It really helps to buy into what we do in therapy and see the “method in our madness”.
Lastly, you can explain how these previously discussed fundamentals in development have supported or failed to support the person’s Executive functions, linking it all to ADLs. Getting back to function is what OTs are really good at!
What I love about this model is that on the side, developing alongside the layers of sensory integration, the socio-emotional development is plotted and thus also available to link to, should it fit the profile.
Some therapists are using this model as the framework for their reports as well as their record-keeping of progress in therapy.
This is a really user-friendly model. Thank you SAISI!