Clarification on the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI)

There has been some confusion on local forums about whether the EASI is “still in development” and based only on “preliminary norms.” This is not the case.

The EASI is a published, standardised set of 20 tests that have been clinically used internationally by trained therapists since 2022. The original normative sample included 2,300 typically developing children (ages 3–12), which formed the basis for the current EASI Scoring Program (ESP). Numerous peer-reviewed publications have already demonstrated strong reliability and validity.

As with all major psychometric tools (for example, the Wechsler Scales or the Bayley Scales), ongoing research and refinement are standard best practices. The current phase of data collection—now involving over 8,000 children from more than 80 countries—is designed to strengthen and expand the test further, ensuring it remains culturally relevant and psychometrically robust. This process does not mean the EASI is unfinished; it is being continuously improved, as is the case with all high-quality assessments.

In short:

• The EASI is fully developed, published, and in clinical use now.
• Ongoing research is a sign of strength and quality assurance, not incompleteness.
• Therapists using the EASI are already finding it invaluable for planning effective, evidence-based intervention.

For those considering training, the EASI represents the current and internationally recognised gold standard for assessment within the Ayres Sensory Integration® framework.

Please see the following statement below from the EASI Test Authors:

“The Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration The Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) is a set of 20 tests which measure the main functions identified as necessary for a comprehensive assessment according to the Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) framework.

Clinicians are now using the EASI in their therapy practices and are finding the results extremely helpful for a better understanding of the children, so that appropriate and effective intervention can be planned and implemented. Clinical use of these tests by qualified and trained therapists began in 2022. The original normative data included 2300 typically developing children ages 3 to 12 years. This data was analyzed and formed the basis for the development of the EASI Scoring Program (ESP). Numerous publications on the psychometrics of the EASI have reported strong validity and reliability-see references below.

Ongoing EASI analyses are underway and will continue to strengthen the psychometric properties and our understanding of the results. Normative data collected on over 8000 children from more than 80 countries is currently being analyzed and will result in refinements to the tests and scoring. This even larger normative data sample will eventually replace the current norms in the ESP.

Additional studies are in process and, once published, will be updated on the EASI Research Brief, which is currently available via https://www.cl-asi.org/researchbriefs

EASI Publications:

1. Donica, D. K., Beck, L., & Mumford, K. (2025). Exploring the Relationship Between Handwriting Legibility and Praxis in Third and Fourth Grade Students. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(1), 1-9. DOI:10.15453/2168-6408.2285

2. Gandara-Gafo, B., Beaudry-Bellefeuille, I., Mailloux, Z., Moriyón, T., Parham, L. D., Riego, S. S.-d., Serrada-Tejeda, S., Roley, S. S., Toledo, P., & Schaaf, R. C. (2021). Cultural adaptation of the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) for Spanish-speaking populations. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 1–9. DOI:10.5014/ajot.2021.044693

4. Holmlund, M & Orban, K (2021) Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the performancebased test – Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration®, Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 28:8, 609-620. DOI: 10.1080/11038128.2020.1831059

5. Lamash, L., Grady-Dominguez, P., Mailloux, Z., Parham, L. D., Schaaf, R. C., Smith Roley, S., & Gal, E. (2022). Brief Report – EASI Praxis tests: Age trends and internal consistency. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76, 7602345020. DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2022.049145

6. Mailloux, Z, Grady-Dominguez, P., Bundy, A., Parham, L,D., Smith Roley, S., Wieland, S, Schaaf, R. (2023) Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration® Praxis Tests: Construct Validity and Internal Reliability. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(4), 7704345020. DOI:10.5014/ajot.2023.050138

7. Mailloux, Z., Grady, P., Petersen J., Parham, L.D., Smith Roley, S., Bundy, A., Schaaf, R.C. (2021). Evaluation of Ayres Sensory Integration Vestibular and Proprioceptive Tests: Construct Validity and Internal Consistency. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 75 (6) DOI:10.5014/ajot.2021.043166

8. Mailloux, Z., Parham, L. D., Roley, S. S., Ruzzano, L., & Schaaf, R. C. (2018). Introduction to the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration® (EASI). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72, 7201195030. DOI:10.5014/ajot.2018.028241

9. Schaaf, R., Auld Wright, K., Mailloux, Z., Grady-Dominguez, P., Parham, S., Smith Roley, S. (2023). EASI Tactile Perception Tests: Construct validity and internal reliability. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. (77) 1 DOI:10.5014/ajot.2023.050053