If you’ve been hearing mixed messages about the EASI, you’re not alone. Practitioners across the UK and beyond have been asking the same question: “Is the EASI actually ready to use, or is it still in development?” It’s understandable, whenever something new is released in sensory integration, especially something as significant as a norm-referenced assessment tool, there's excitement, curiosity and sometimes a bit of uncertainty. We wanted to clarify things in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner.

The truth is that the EASI is published, normed and available for clinical use. It has been since 2022. The initial normative sample, collected through the remarkable international effort of the INDC project, includes data from over 2,000 children worldwide. This means practitioners now have access to a standardised assessment tool aligned with Ayres Sensory Integration that can be used confidently in everyday practice. When people describe the EASI as "still in development,” they're usually referring to the fact that research teams continue to refine, expand and deepen the normative dataset. But that's true for almost every standardised assessment in existence. Continual refinement doesn't make a tool unfinished; it makes it well governed.

What matters for clinicians right now is that the EASI is considered usable, reliable and appropriate for practice when applied with the right training and thoughtful interpretation. It is designed to sit alongside the broader assessment picture you already build in your work: the sensory history, observations, functional participation, co-occurring needs and environmental influences. Like any tool, it doesn't replace your reasoning; it strengthens it.

Some of the confusion stems from comparisons with older tools, such as the SIPT. The SIPT has a rich history and a long body of research behind it, but it is time-intensive and requires structured training that many services can't maintain. The EASI provides a more accessible modern option that matches the fidelity of Ayres' original work while being more practical for today's service demands. It doesn't erase the value of previous tools; it simply gives us more capacity and flexibility moving forward.

For services, this clarity matters too. Choosing an assessment is about governance as much as it is about clinical skill. When commissioners, service leads and MDT colleagues understand that the EASI is published and standardised, it becomes easier to plan pathways, justify decisions and design interventions around robust assessment data. It also avoids the unnecessary delays caused by waiting for a fictional "final" version that isn't coming, because the tool is already complete enough to use.

So what does this mean for your everyday work? It means you can use the EASI now. You can trust its structure, engage with its scoring, and integrate it into your reports and intervention planning. You can also keep an eye on ongoing developments, knowing they're there to enhance your understanding rather than replace what you're doing. Good clinicians evolve with the evidence, and the EASI gives you a living tool that continues to grow with the field.

Behind the scenes, we'll continue following updates from the authors and the INDC research teams, and we'll keep sharing what we learn with our community. Our commitment is always to help you feel grounded, confident and well-informed.

If you'd like to dive deeper into the details, we've linked the full update on our website, allowing you to explore it at your own pace.