Family-Centered Occupational Therapy Consultation for Children Under 18 Years Old: A Scoping Review

Family-centered occupational therapy provided in children's natural environments can enhance learning, development, participation, and caregiver competence. Consultation is a key approach within this model. This scoping review examined the literature on family-centered occupational therapy consultation for individuals under 18 years old and its reported effects on families and goal achievement.

Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, five databases and gray literature were searched (2000-April 2025). Studies were included if they described synchronous consultation between families and occupational therapists. Data were extracted on study design, intervention characteristics, and outcomes.

Then, 15 studies met inclusion criteria (12 quantitative and three qualitative). Of the quantitative studies, eight reported statistically significant improvements in child or parent outcomes (e.g., occupational performance, participation, and parental confidence), three reported mixed or nonsignificant results, and one was descriptive only. Qualitative studies consistently reported increased caregiver understanding, confidence, and ability to implement strategies in natural environments. Most interventions occurred in schools or home programs, with limited evidence from telehealth, adolescents, or non-Western contexts.

Family-centered consultation in pediatric occupational therapy shows promise for improving participation-related outcomes and caregiver competence but remains methodologically heterogeneous and understudied in certain populations and formats. Further research should address these gaps to strengthen the evidence base.