A newly published scoping-review protocol in BMJ Open sets out a plan to map occupational-therapy-related skill-training programmes for caregivers of children described by the authors as neurodiverse, particularly children with autism or ADHD.
The important distinction is that this is a protocol, not the completed review. It describes how the researchers intend to search, classify and summarise existing evidence; it does not yet establish which interventions are effective.
What the researchers plan to examine
The review will examine how caregiver skill-training programmes linked to occupational therapy are structured and delivered, including their setting, provider, duration and contextual adaptations. The researchers also aim to identify gaps and inconsistent terminology in the existing literature.
Occupational therapy can involve supporting participation in everyday activities and routines, but programmes differ widely. A protocol of this kind is useful for organising a fragmented evidence base; it should not be read as a recommendation for a particular intervention or as proof of benefit.
The full protocol is available in BMJ Open.
