Director of Advocacy & Leadership

Elisabeth Soechting, GSIO Austria

Elisabeth Soechting has been involved in Sensory Integration for more than 25 years. She is the co-founder and current president of the Austrian SI organization GSIÖ. 
 

Elisabeth received her diploma in occupational therapy (OT) in 1986 and her master’s degree in psychology 1991 from the University of Vienna. 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.  

Elisabeth has been practicing pediatric OT with specialization in Sensory Integration for over 25 years and is currently running her practice SpielStudio with 3 locations around Vienna. From 2010 till 2012 she lived in Los Angeles and worked at the former Ayres’ Clinic in Torrance. 

Elisabeth is co-founder and president of the Austrian Society of Sensory Integration (GSIOe) who organized the 5th European SI Congress (ESIC) in Vienna in 2017, and helped develop the Austrian curriculum for SI training, ASI®Therapy ORIGINAL that was among the first programs worldwide accredited by ICEASI (2018).  For over 10 years (2004-15) she served as an international SI instructor for the University of Southern California (USC), and since 2016 she has been teaching as an international instructor for “The Collaborative For Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration",  CLASI. Participation in conferences and teaching SI courses have brought her to many parts of the world including several European countries, the US, India, Hong Kong, South Africa, Russia, and China.

Elisabeth published numerous articles, two books („Sensory Integration Original – Today“ and „Some are different...“, a picture book on SI dysfunction with parent pages), and was instrumental in the translation of core SI literature into German, including Bundy, Lane & Murray “Sensory Integration. Theory and Practice” and Smith Roley, Blanche, and Schaaf “Understanding SI With Diverse Populations”, currently working on Mailloux & Schaaf “Clinician's Guide for Implementing Ayres Sensory Integration: Promoting Participation for Children With Autism”. 

Elisabeth 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 Education 

Kathryn Smith, ASI WISE United Kingdom

Kath’s postgraduate education in Ayres’ Sensory Integration started in the early 1990’s while she was working in a CAMHS setting in South Africa, including with young people with trauma and in secure accommodation. On moving to the UK, Kath’s passion about ASI informed the innovation of services and products to support clients across the lifespan with sensory integration challenges; including assessment tools, parenting skills card, care pathways and intervention resources.  

Building on her experience using SI within learning disability services, Kath combined DBT and Sensory Integration creating practical solutions for use in acute mental health. In 2002, her development and application of Sensory Ladders to support clients with trauma was visionary. As a 2005 Medical Futures Award finalist, Kath established The Sensory Project to promote ASI across the lifespan; with creation of the Parenting Through the Senses programme. Her All About Me sensory formulations to promote self regulation in mental health; with reduced inpatient admissions, use of restraint alongside improved participation in everyday life. With her growing expertise and innovative practice of ASI across the lifespan, Kath was invited to collaborate with Ros Urwin to develop and lecture the application of SI beyond Childhood, an area as yet unchartered by SI Network. Kath is published in peer reviewed journals about the application of Ayres SI across the lifespan. 

‘In recognition of her clinical ability, innovative spirit and passion to develop Sensory Integration approaches for mental health settings’, in 2007 she was awarded ‘Occupational Therapist of the Year’ by the British Association of Occupational Therapy/College of Occupational Therapists. As accredited university lecturer and researcher, since 2005, Kath has explored and developed innovative teaching and learning methods, combining face to face and online technology to create early blended learning solutions; including telehealth. A member of the ICEASI Committee, representing therapists from the UK and Ireland, Kath is EASI Regional Lead for UK and Ireland Research Project. 

Established in 2017 to safeguard occupational therapist led Ayres’ Sensory Integration across the UK and Ireland, ASI Wise delivers the ICEASI accredited CLASI Certification in Ayres Sensory Integration (CASI). Kath’s passion supporting others to learn about Ayres’ Sensory Integration is evident in her enthusiasm promoting and sharing ways of working alongside those with sensory integration and processing challenges.

Director of Organisation Membership

Katya Eijsink Klein Gunnewiek,  ABIS Brazil

Katya Eijsink Klein Gunnewiek 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.

She is currently the leader for the normative data collection for the Evaluation in Sensory Integration (EASI) in Brazil. 

Director of Individual Membership and Communication:

Davor Duić, individual member Croatia

Davor is a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist from Croatia, holding a Master's degree in Physiotherapy and specialized certifications in Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI®) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT). With over 14 years of experience at the Centre for Rehabilitation Silver in Zagreb, he expertly implements occupational therapy interventions and sensory integration therapy, incorporating therapy dogs to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

He is an active participant and speaker at numerous international conferences and lecturers in the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Applied Health Sciences in Zagreb, Croatia.

Drawing on his extensive expertise working with children with disabilities, Davor is committed to improving the lives of children and their families by facilitating challenging and engaging therapeutic play, advancing sensory integration and praxis, and promoting independence in daily living activities.

Since 2014, Davor has been an active member of the ASI community, participating in all major European and international Sensory Integration congresses worldwide. Additionally, he serves as the 3D EASI coordinator, overseeing the verification of 3D-printed tactile shapes used in EASI test.

Director of Program Accreditation

Valeria Isaac, Neurosens Chile

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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 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.