Dear colleagues, friends, and champions of Ayres Sensory Integration® around the world,

It is with deep joy and a sense of humble pride that I welcome you on behalf of the International Council for Education in Ayres Sensory Integration (ICE-ASI) to the 6th ISIC, taking place in the vibrant city of Porto, Portugal, in January 2026.

Since 2018, ICE-ASI has entrusted an ICE-ASI member organization from a different continent with hosting the ISIC series. After memorable gatherings in Africa (2018), Asia (2019), North America (2022), South America (2023), and Australia (2024), we are delighted to return to Europe.

This congress will be hosted by the outstanding team at 7Senses under the leadership of Paulo Fernandes, an organization whose name alone evokes the heart of our work—grounded in the understanding that we have more than five senses. With their long-standing commitment to excellence in Ayres Sensory Integration and a proven track record of organizing impactful events, 7Senses stands as the perfect host. Many of us still fondly remember the European SI Congress (ESIC) in 2011 at the Algarve – a momentous gathering that left a lasting imprint on our field. We have every reason to believe that ISIC 2026 in Porto will be just as memorable.

As always, this congress is an homage to Dr. A. Jean Ayres, the brilliant mind and compassionate heart who founded the Sensory Integration approach. ICE-ASI is dedicated to promoting the integrity of her legacy, a body of work that we are referring to as Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI®), and ISIC is one important vehicle to do so. Though I never had the honor of meeting Dr. Ayres personally, I often imagine her looking down at our global community today with a full heart and proud eyes as we expand the reach and impact of her life’s work.

The past few years have indeed been transformative for ASI. As Dr. Zoe Mailloux has articulated in keynote at the previous ISIC in Sydney,  we now find ourselves in an exciting epoch: one of harvest. After decades of unwavering dedication, persistent advocacy, and rigorous research, we are now beginning to reap the rewards. Since 2018, and especially following the seminal review by the National Clearinghouse on Autism in 2020 (Steinbrenner et al.), ASI is widely and officially recognized as an evidence-based practice (EBP) for autism. And, as Dr. Piller (in press) is now showing, the scope of this recognition is broadening to include even more populations and contexts, including applications within educational systems.

We are also celebrating the recognition of many esteemed colleagues from within our ASI community: among them, Anita Bundy and Roseann Schaaf, who have received the highest honors from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the Eleanor Slagle Lectures in 2024 respectively 2025. These achievements are not only individual milestones—they are collective victories for the global ASI community.

The scientific depth and integrity of ISIC 2026 will be ensured by a high-caliber Scientific Committee, led by Dr. Sergio Tejeda (Spain). Dr. Tejeda, a respected researcher and educator in the field of Occupational Therapy and ASI, brings both vision and scholarly rigor to the task. Together with a team of international experts, this committee will curate a program that reflects the latest scientific developments and clinical innovations in our field—ensuring that every session is both evidence-based and relevant to clinical practice.

As a special hallmark of ISIC 2026, the organizers are reviving an approach championed by our gifted friend and mentor, Dr. Susanne Smith Roley, who masterfully curated the legendary R2K research conferences in Southern California from 2000 to 2012. In her spirit, ISIC 2026 will bring together not only the most respected lead experts in ASI from within our ASI  community, but also world-renowned researchers from outside the field of Occupational Therapy. Among them, we are thrilled to welcome neuroscientists Dr. Elysa Marco and Dr. Wolf Mehling, whose contributions are expected to offer compelling new perspectives and insights into the neurobiology that underpins our clinical work. And they are just the beginning.

ISIC 2026 promises to be an exceptional gathering—scientifically rigorous, socially rich, and full of opportunities to reconnect, reflect, and reimagine our shared future. Whether you come to deepen your knowledge, collaborate across continents, or simply enjoy the beauty and culture of Porto, this congress will offer something valuable for everyone.

We look forward to welcoming you in Portugal with open arms, open hearts, and certainly a glass of excellent wine!

Warm regards,
Elisabeth Soechting
President, International Council for Education in Ayres Sensory Integration (ICE-ASI)