Feeling Confused About Titles After ASI Training? Let’s Clear It Up
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“Once I’ve completed the ASI Wise training pathway, can I call myself a Practitioner or Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration?”
The short answer is: no, and there are important reasons why.
Across the UK, protected titles and role descriptors are governed by frameworks set out by HCPC, Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), and NHS England’s Advancing and Enhancing Practice Frameworks. These frameworks emphasise clarity, transparency and safe scope of practice. They also make it clear that terms like Practitioner, Advanced Practitioner, or Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) have specific definitions, linked to recognised qualifications, supervision structures, and demonstration of capability across all four pillars of practice (clinical, education, leadership, and research).
While completing the ASI Wise sensory integration training route is a significant achievement and provides a high level of specialist knowledge and skill, it does not replace an ACP pathway, extension of scope governance, or the advanced/consultant-level competencies described by NHS England or RCOT.
So what can you call yourself?
We encourage the use of terminology that is accurate, ethical, and aligned with UK regulatory expectations. For example:
- Occupational Therapist with Postgraduate Training in Ayres Sensory Integration
- OT with Specialist Training in Sensory Integration
- OT developing enhanced practice in Sensory Integration
- Therapist with additional SI training, depending on your professional background
These statements reflect your learning truthfully without implying protected titles, level-7/8 qualifications, or governance responsibilities you may not yet hold.
Why do we avoid the terms “ASI Practitioner” or “Advanced Practitioner”
Using these terms can unintentionally:
- conflict with HCPC protected titles and scope expectations
- cause confusion among employers, MDT colleagues and commissioners
- implies a level of authority or autonomous practice beyond training
- conflict with NHS England's Enhancing and Advancing Practice frameworks
- Blur distinctions between clinicians developing extended skills and those formally recognised at the advanced or consultant level
We want learners to feel confident, not exposed. Clear, grounded language protects both practitioners and the people they support.
Where your ASI Wise learning fits
Our training sits within the UK concept of enhanced practice, a space where practitioners deepen specialist knowledge, strengthen clinical reasoning and extend their toolkit while remaining aligned with their registered scope and supervision structures.
This kind of learning:
- strengthens your ability to deliver high-quality sensory-informed practice
- supports MDT contribution in education, mental health, learning disabilities, paediatrics and adult services
- enhances your clinical reasoning and participation-focused interventions
- aligns with RCOT CPD requirements and HCPC standards of proficiency
- can contribute toward workplace-supported Advancing Practice routes
Your developing expertise is valuable, recognised and impactful; it just needs to be described in a way that aligns with UK regulatory expectations.
Why this matters
We care deeply about clarity and integrity in the field of sensory integration. When titles are used accurately, it supports:
- safe practice
- better service design
- informed commissioning
- MDT respect and understanding
- families receiving the correct information
- your own professional credibility
Accurate self-description isn't about restricting identity, it's about protecting your developing expertise and ensuring it is recognised appropriately.
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