Both organization recognise the need for further research about Ayres Sensory Integration and related approaches. In the USA this important to increase insurance coverage for related therapies. AOTA and RCOT have made efforts to educate the public about sensory Integration and related approaches. AOTAs practice guidelines and RCOTs informed view "Sensory Integration and sensory-based interventions" currently support the use of sensory integration therapy and interprofessional education and collaboration in order to optimize treatment for those with sensory integration and processing difficulties. The AOTA provides several resources pertaining to sensory integration therapy, some of which includes a fact sheet, new research, and continuing education opportunities. Controversy
There are concerns regarding the validity of the diagnosis. SPD is not included in the DSM-5 or ICD-10, the most widely used diagnostic sources in healthcare. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2012 stated that there is no universally accepted framework for diagnosis and recommends caution against using any "sensory" type therapies unless as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Original model
Ayress theoretical framework for what she called Sensory Integration Dysfunction was developed after six factor analytic studies of populations of children with learning disabilities, perceptual motor disabilities and normal developing children. Ayres created the following nosology based on the patterns that appeared on her factor analysis:

Dyspraxia: poor motor planning (more related to the vestibular system and proprioception)
Poor bilateral integration: inadequate use of both sides of the body simultaneously
Tactile defensiveness: negative reaction to tactile stimuli
Visual perceptual deficits: poor form and space perception and visual motor functions
Somatodyspraxia: poor motor planning (related to poor information coming from the tactile and proprioceptive systems)
Auditory-language problemsBoth visual perceptual and auditory language deficits were thought to possess a strong cognitive component and a weak relationship to underlying sensory processing deficits, so they are not considered central deficits in many models of sensory processing.In 1998, Mulligan found a similar pattern of deficits in a confirmatory factor analytic study. Quadrant model
Dunns nosology uses two criteria: response type (passive vs. active) and sensory threshold to the stimuli (low or high) creating four subtypes or quadrants:
High neurological thresholdsLow registration: high threshold with passive response. Individuals who do not pick up on sensations and therefore partake in passive behavior. Sensation seeking: high threshold and active response. Those who actively seek out a rich sensory filled environment.Low neurological thresholdSensitivity to stimuli: low threshold with passive response. Individuals who become distracted and uncomfortable when exposed to sensation but do not actively limit or avoid exposure to the sensation. Sensation avoiding: low threshold and active response.