MEET THE TEAM 2025-28
CHAIRPERSON
DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY & LEADERSHIP
ELISABETH SOECHTING, GSIOe, AUSTRIA
Elisabeth has been involved in Sensory Integration for more than 30 years. She is the co-founder and current president of the Austrian SI organization GSIÖ.
Elisabeth is an occupational therapist and psychologist. She was trained in Sensory Integration by many of Dr. Ayres’s successors, with Dr. Erna Blanche, Dr. Zoe Mailloux, and Dr. Susanne Smith Roley being her most influential mentors. In 2012 she completed an Advanced Practice Certificate in Autism Intervention and Research from Thomas Jefferson University/Philadelphia with Dr. Roseann Schaaf.
She was instrumental in in developing the Austrian curriculum for SI training, ASI®Therapy ORIGINAL that was among the first programs worldwide accredited by ICEASI (2018), and in organizing the 5th European SI Congress (ESIC) in Vienna in 2017. She was the first recipient of the Sonia Martins Lopes International Award by Pediatric Therapy Network that she received at the SI research conference R2K in 2009.
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DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
CARLYN COOPER, ASI-AUS, AUSTRALIA
Carlyn is a passionate paediatric occupational therapist and dedicated director specializing in ASI (Ayres Sensory Integration®) Intervention. As a founding member of ASI Australia and one of the directors of In Sync Kids OT and Sensory Enterprises, Carlyn is committed to improving the lives of individuals with sensory processing challenges.
Carlyn's journey in ASI Therapy began during her time in the UK, where the transformative impact of ASI intervention inspired her. This experience led her to establish In Sync Kids OT in Brisbane, Australia—a leading practice providing specialised therapy services tailored to children's unique sensory needs.
At In Sync Kids OT, Carlyn leads a compassionate team of therapists who conduct comprehensive assessments and deliver evidence-based ASI interventions to promote sensory regulation and enhance participation in daily activities.
Carlyn's dedication to advancing the awareness and practice of Ayres Sensory Integration® extends to her role as a founding member of ASI Australia. In this capacity, Carlyn advocates for best practices and professional development within the field, striving to expand access to ASI resources and education nationwide.
Recognizing the critical need for accessible sensory solutions, Carlyn co-directs Sensory Enterprises, a pioneering company dedicated to sourcing and distributing high-quality sensory equipment and products. Under Carlyn's leadership, Sensory Enterprises ensures that therapists, educators, and families have access to innovative tools that support sensory development and overall well-being.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Carlyn is actively engaged in community outreach and education. She raises awareness about sensory integration challenges and the benefits of ASI therapy through workshops, presentations, and collaborative initiatives.
Carlyn Cooper's unwavering passion for paediatric occupational therapy and sensory integration is evident in her leadership roles across In Sync Kids OT, Sensory Enterprises, and ASI Australia. Connect with Carlyn to explore how her expertise and commitment can positively impact individuals with sensory processing differences and their families.
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP APPROVAL
KATYA EIJSINK, ABIS, BRAZIL
Katya is an occupational therapist graduated by the University of São Carlos, in Brazil. She did her master's in Clinical Rehabilitation in neurology at the University of Adelaide in Australia. When she got back to her home country, she took a postgraduate course in Occupational Therapy, a Dynamic View in Neurology where she was introduced to Sensory Integration.
She obtained her postgraduate certificate in Sensory Integration by USC / WPS and later by CLASI. Since the first certification, she has been translating the international certifications of Sensory Integration by CLASI in Brazil.
She currently owns a private clinic and a Horse Riding Therapy Center. Her main clients are babies, children and teenagers with developmental delay, autism, learning difficulties and sensory integration deficits and praxis.
Katya led the normative data collection for the Evaluation in Sensory Integration (EASI) in Brazil.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
KATHRYN SMITH, ASI WISE UNITED KINGDOM
Kathryn Smith (Kath) is a UK-based occupational therapist and educator specialising in Ayres' Sensory Integration (ASI) across the lifespan. She is a founding Director of ASI Wise and The Sensory Project, where she leads the development of co-produced tools such as Sensory Ladders, Spiders, and Grids. Her work is grounded in NHS service innovation, trauma-informed practice, and neurodiversity-affirming care.
Kath is internationally recognised for extending ASI into adult mental health, forensic services, learning disability, and education settings. She teaches on the Ulster University MSc Advancing Practice Sensory Integration ASI Wise Programme, mentors therapists globally, and contributes to international standards through ICE-ASI. Her research and leadership support inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive practice.
As a conference speaker, Kath was honoured with a Royal College of Occupational Therapists Merit Award in 2024. She is passionate about co-production, believing that shared understanding of the senses transforms participation, wellbeing, and the systems we live and work in.
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
GINA RENCKEN, SAISI SOUTH AFRICA
Gina is PhD candidate (UKZN) Occupational Therapy lecturer at the University of KwaZulu Natal. She is lecturer and clinician in the field of paediatric occupational therapy, with a particular interest in neonatal care, early intervention, ADHD and neurodevelopmental conditions. She has a research and clinical interest in infant, child and maternal mental health and development. She is trained in Ayres Sensory Integration® and lectures in the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI)’s qualification course. She is an executive committee member of SAISI , and serves as the chair of council and director for research on the International Council for Education in Ayres Sensory Integration (ICE-ASI). She has published in peer reviewed journals and presented at national and international congresses.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
VALERIA ISAAC, NEUROSENS CHILE
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
DAVOR DUIC, CROATIA