Occupational therapy, schools and youth: a mapping review

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Occupational therapists are dedicated to the education service sector, however, this sector has had difficulties in advancing its universal accessibility, with a growing number of young people out of school, harming their condition of inclusion and social participation. Objective To map the production of scientific knowledge associated with occupational therapy, schools and youth, to answer the following questions: 1. How have occupational therapists contributed to youth in schools? 2. What proposals have these professionals disseminated in this context? Method A systematic mapping review carried out on the Scopus and Web of Science databases, which retrieved 46 publications covering from 1979 until 2019. Results Occupational therapists have not prioritized young population in their practices and studies. Noteworthy are the work to support young people with disabilities leaving high school, studies on mental health and an increasing number of works involving young people in situations of social vulnerability. Conclusion There is a need to increase and disseminate occupational therapy actions related to young people in schools, fostering theoretical and practical subsidies that offer better contours to this professional insertion.