Introduction: More and more children are encountering developmental disorders that affect their everyday functioning and quality of life. Early intervention, especially from the perspective of occupational therapy, is becoming established as one of the key approaches for comprehensive support for children with special needs. By involving children and their families in the therapeutic process at an early stage, we can significantly contribute to better functionality, independence, and social inclusion of children. Purpose: The purpose of the bachelor’s thesis was, through a systematic literature review, to explore the importance of early intervention from the perspective of occupational therapy in children with developmental disorders and to define the key factors, methods, and effects of such treatment. Methods: A systematic review of scientific and professional literature in English was conducted. The search for articles was carried out in the electronic databases CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Articles were selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Seven articles were included in the final analysis. Based on thematic analysis and synthesis, four main themes were formed: positive effects of early intervention; the role of parents in early intervention; a holistic interdisciplinary approach; and approaches and methods of occupational therapy. We found that early inclusion in the occupational therapy process positively affects children’s motor, social, cognitive, and sensory abilities, improves family dynamics, and reduces long-term needs for intensive support. Discussion and conclusion: Early intervention in occupational therapy has long-term positive effects on the development of children with developmental disorders. Active involvement of parents, individualized therapeutic approaches, interdisciplinary cooperation, and timely initiation of treatment are key factors for success in everyday functioning. Despite numerous positive effects, certain barriers still occur, such as time and logistical burdens on families and unequal access to quality services. In Slovenia, this field is insufficiently researched; therefore, further studies, especially of an empirical nature, would be extremely important for the development and improvement of the practice of early occupational therapy intervention.
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