Mapping occupational therapy interventions in caregiver skill training for children with neurodiversity: a scoping...

Caregivers of children with neurodiversity, particularly autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, experience sustained occupational, emotional and participation-related challenges. Occupational therapy (OT) plays a crucial role in supporting caregivers through skill training that enhances daily routines, participation and family functioning. Although caregiver training programmes are described across multiple disciplines, the scope, nature and specific contribution of OT-related caregiver skill training interventions remain insufficiently synthesised, with fragmented terminology, heterogeneous theoretical foundations and inconsistent reporting. To date, there appears to be limited synthesis specifically mapping OT-related caregiver skill training programmes for caregivers of children with neurodiversity.

This scoping review aims to identify and map the range, characteristics and implementation features of OT-related caregiver skill-training programmes for caregivers of children with neurodiversity. Secondary objectives are to describe how these programmes are structured and to examine delivery characteristics, including mode, provider, setting, duration and contextual or cultural adaptations.

This protocol follows the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework for scoping reviews and will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review guidelines. Eligibility criteria are guided by the Population-Concept-Context framework. The review will include mixed-methods studies, intervention studies (randomised and non-randomised), feasibility studies and programme descriptions published in English from 2000 to 2025. Electronic searches will be conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science. The PubMed search strategy will undergo peer review in accordance with the PRESS 2015 guidelines. Study selection and data charting will be performed independently by multiple reviewers. Data will be synthesised descriptively and narratively, with results presented in tables, conceptual maps and an evidence gap map.

Ethical approval is not required as this review uses publicly available data. Findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentations at relevant scientific and professional forums to inform clinical practice, policy development and future research in caregiver-focused OT interventions.