An exploration of teacher perceptions toward occupational therapy and occupational therapy practices: A scoping review

Many occupational therapists work in school-based practice, where collaborative consultation between teachers and therapists is critical for intervention effectiveness. This scoping review explores teacher perceptions toward occupational therapy (OT). Three themes emerged: (1) teachers’ confusion over the OT role and scope of practice; (2) teachers’ desire for more reciprocal communication and more frequent opportunities to collaborate with occupational therapists; and (3) teachers’ desire for occupational therapists to have increased awareness of the needs and constraints of classroom contexts. Implications for occupational therapists, as well as potential strategies to address these emergent themes within education and school-based practices, are discussed.