For GPs & Paediatricians
We accept both NHS and private referrals, and welcome direct contact from GPs, community paediatricians, and CAMHS clinicians.
Below is a guide to help you identify when a referral to Hopscotch may be appropriate.
When to Refer to Occupational Therapy
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When a child's difficulties with movement, coordination, or self-care appear to be affecting their ability to participate in age-appropriate activities at home, at school, or socially.
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When sensory processing differences are driving behaviour, emotional regulation difficulties, or avoidance, and where a sensory-informed assessment would help distinguish sensory-based presentation from purely behavioural or emotional causes.
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When a child is struggling with the physical demands of the school day: including handwriting, PE, or managing their own belongings; and the underlying reason is not yet understood.
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When self-care skills such as dressing, eating, or personal hygiene are delayed or absent in a way that is not explained by physical impairment alone.
When to Refer to Speech & Language Therapy
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When a child's speech, language, or communication difficulties are affecting their ability to participate in daily life, learning, or relationships.
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When speech sound development is not following the expected trajectory and is beginning to affect intelligibility or the child's confidence.
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When there are concerns about a child's understanding of language, not just their expressive output, particularly where this may be masking as behaviour or inattention.
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When social communication difficulties are present and are affecting a child's ability to connect with peers or engage in the classroom.
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When selective mutism is suspected, and a specialist assessment is needed to distinguish this from shyness, language delay, or other presentations.
When to Consider Sensory Integration Therapy
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When a child's difficulties appear to stem from how they process and integrate sensory information, rather than from a structural, cognitive, or purely behavioural cause.
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When sensory-based challenges are significantly affecting participation in daily life, learning, or social interaction, and where a sensory-informed approach is likely to be more effective than behavioural strategies alone
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When previous OT intervention has not produced the expected gains, and you feel underlying sensory integration dysfunction may be a contributing factor.
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When a child presents with a complex profile: such as autism, DCD/Dyspraxia, or ADHD, where sensory processing is a significant component of their day-to-day difficulties.
Our Feedback to Referrers
With parental consent, we send a copy of the assessment report directly to the referring clinician, and are always happy to discuss findings, clinical reasoning, and recommended next steps by phone or email. We accept both NHS and private referrals.
Get in Touch
Contact us by phone (020 7486 8168) or by email (info@hopscotchtherapy.co.uk) or via the online contact form to refer a patient or to discuss a case informally before referring (with parental consent).