Hop and Learn Children's Therapy

Get to know Hop and Learn Children's Therapy

From Hop and Learn Children's Therapy's website.

• Our approach

  Sessions at Hop & Learn are designed to feel like play rather than medical appointments, with therapy tailored to each child's interests and strengths. The approach celebrates every child's unique neurology through neurodiversity-affirming, play-based practice that follows the child's lead. Therapists work with meaningful, real-world goals—like learning to dress themselves or joining in playtime without distress—and weave therapy strategies into everyday family life at home, school, and in the community so progress lasts beyond the session. The clinic environment is warm and child-friendly, set up for children to feel safe and excited to attend while giving parents space to ask questions and feel supported.

• Working with families

  Communication is central to the partnership—parents are involved in setting goals and receive clear information about what the therapist is working on, how they'll get there, and what strategies to try between sessions. The clinic provides space for parents to chat, ask questions, and feel genuinely supported by a team that understands the challenges families face. Therapists work closely with families to provide coaching on how to support therapy goals in everyday routines, and for school-aged children, they coordinate with local schools and kindergartens to ensure consistent support across settings. For families using NDIS funding, the team also helps with therapy reports, goal tracking, and guidance on using funding effectively.

• Meet the team

  The multidisciplinary team includes occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and allied health assistants, all registered with AHPRA and holding current Working With Children Checks. The team is led by founder Rutu Patel, an experienced occupational therapist with a background in supporting families with developmental delays. Therapists hold specialist qualifications across areas such as DIR/Floortime, sensory integration, feeding therapy, social thinking, and autism support, with some team members having 2+ years of paediatric experience. Allied health assistants support therapy delivery and skill-building, while administrative staff manage scheduling and family support. All team members engage in regular professional development, clinical supervision, and peer review to maintain high standards of care.

• Your first visit

  At the first appointment, you'll meet your therapist and talk through your priorities for your child. The therapist will then complete a fun, child-friendly assessment to understand your child's needs and strengths. Your team will review your referral form (which includes your child's details and goals) and recommend whether your child needs occupational therapy, speech pathology, or both, along with the best service location for your family. Following the assessment, the therapist will work with you to agree on specific goals, session frequency, and practical activities you can incorporate into your family's everyday routines.