Name two criticisms often leveled at Ayres SI therapy and how practitioners address them.

• A. Too expensive; too long; addressed by reducing costs and shortening sessions.
• B. Not suitable for adults; addressed by exclusive pediatric use.
• C. Limited high-quality evidence and commercialization concerns; addressed by rigorous data collection, standardized outcomes, and integration with evidence-based practices.
• D. Too focused on reflexes; addressed by ignoring reflexes.

Answer: (C)

A key idea here is that Ayres’ sensory integration therapy faces two frequent criticisms: the evidence base is not as solid as many would like, and there are concerns about commercialization and hype around the approach. Therapists address these by making data-driven practice a priority. They collect and analyze child outcomes with standardized measures to show real, measurable progress, and they implement SI techniques within a broader, evidence-based occupational therapy framework rather than as a standalone, marketed program. This means using SI as one component of a comprehensive, child-centered plan, with ongoing outcome monitoring and alignment to current research. When possible, they also contribute to research and use data to guide decisions, which helps strengthen the overall credibility and responsible use of the approach.