A Scoping Review of Intervention Implementation for Self-Care Skills among Children with Developmental Delay.

Abstract

Difficulties with self-care skills are frequently observed in children with developmental delays. Given the scarcity of robust evidence backing self-care interventions for this group, this scoping review is designed to aggregate existing literature on the implementation of such interventions. Therefore, this scoping review aims to collate literature on the nature of self-care intervention implementation to increase understanding of the current practice and inform future research directions. This scoping review endeavoured to explore the body of literature concerning the existence of self-care interventions and their implementation strategies in children who have developmental delays. Relevant studies were identified by searching through the following databases: Web of Science (W0S), Scopus, ASEAN Citation Index (ACI), CINAHL EBSCO and PubMed. Six types of interventions using various approaches were identified. Occupational therapists mainly manage intervention providers with multidisciplinary co-facilitator and parents' involvement. Whilst session information varied, some evidence suggests that at least 30 min per session, minimum once per week up to twice per week, ranging from 10 to 23 sessions, may be sufficient. Intervention plans should be tailored to each child's unique needs, taking into account the variety of available interventions. Collaboration among occupational therapists, parents, educators and health professionals in home programmes enhances self-care intervention outcomes. These results are set to inform future research and practice, paving the way for enhanced support and improved outcomes for children with developmental delays.