Every child experiences the world through their senses. The ability to process information from touch, movement, sound, sight, taste, smell, and body awareness influences how children learn, play, interact with others, and complete everyday activities. When a child has difficulty organizing and responding to sensory information, it can affect participation at home, school, and in the community. That's where Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) can make a meaningful difference.
At Centerpointe for Children in Irvine, we specialize in evidence-based pediatric occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration® to help children build confidence, improve participation, and develop the skills they need for everyday life. Our clinic is internationally recognized for its expertise in ASI and is designed to meet fidelity standards for this specialized therapeutic approach.
What Is Ayres Sensory Integration®?
Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) is an evidence-based occupational therapy approach developed to help children whose brains have difficulty processing and organizing sensory information. ASI is more than simply providing sensory activities—it follows a specific, research-based framework with standardized assessment, individualized goal setting, and intervention delivered by therapists with advanced training in the model.
Through carefully planned, play-based activities, therapists help children improve:
- Sensory processing
- Self-regulation
- Motor planning (praxis)
- Balance and coordination
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Attention and participation
- Confidence in daily activities
The goal is to help children respond more effectively to everyday challenges while building skills that carry over into home, school, and community settings.
How ASI Supports Child Development
Sensory information constantly comes into our brains from multiple systems, including:
- Touch (tactile)
- Movement and balance (vestibular)
- Body awareness (proprioception)
- Vision
- Hearing
- Taste and smell
When these sensory systems work together efficiently, children are better able to learn new skills, regulate emotions, participate socially, and complete everyday tasks. When sensory integration is difficult, children may struggle with transitions, coordination, attention, self-care, or participating comfortably in daily routines. ASI is designed to improve how the brain processes and organizes this sensory information.
Who Can Benefit from Ayres Sensory Integration®?
Children may benefit from ASI if they experience challenges such as:
- Sensory sensitivities to sounds, textures, or movement
- Difficulty with balance or coordination
- Delays in motor planning
- Challenges with attention or self-regulation
- Difficulty participating in school or playground activities
- Trouble with dressing, feeding, handwriting, or other daily routines
ASI has been shown to benefit many children with sensory integration challenges and has an established evidence base for use with children, including many children with autism, while research continues to expand for additional diagnoses.
Why Families Choose Centerpointe for Children
Since 2003, Centerpointe for Children has been a leader in pediatric occupational therapy and Ayres Sensory Integration®. Our highly trained therapists use comprehensive evaluations to understand each child's unique strengths and needs before developing an individualized treatment plan.
Families appreciate our collaborative approach, which includes:
- Comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations
- Individualized ASI intervention
- Parent education and caregiver coaching
- Collaboration with schools and other providers
- Evidence-based treatment in a state-of-the-art sensory-rich environment
Our mission is to help every child build the skills needed for greater independence, confidence, and participation in everyday life.
Serving Families Throughout Orange County
Centerpointe for Children proudly provides Ayres Sensory Integration® services for families in:
- Irvine
- Newport Beach
- Costa Mesa
- Tustin
- Lake Forest
- Mission Viejo
- Santa Ana
- Orange
- Fountain Valley
- Huntington Beach
Whether your child is experiencing sensory processing challenges, motor planning difficulties, or self-regulation concerns, our experienced occupational therapists are here to help.
Learn More About Ayres Sensory Integration®
Every child deserves the opportunity to participate confidently in the activities that matter most. If you have questions about sensory processing or wonder whether Ayres Sensory Integration® may be appropriate for your child, the experienced team at Centerpointe for Children is here to guide you through the evaluation process and develop a personalized plan for success.