What is LEGO-based therapy?
LEGO-Based Therapy is a social development program that uses LEGO activities to support the development of a wide range of social skills within a group setting.
While initially developed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), LEGO-Based Therapy has since been found to benefit children with a variety of communication and social developmental difficulties. The program is a non-traditional intervention that uses items of interest with structured roles to achieve learning (i.e. progress in social and communication skills development).
What are the benefits of LEGO-based therapy?
Using LEGO in a therapy setting encourages social interaction, turn-taking skills, sharing, collaborative problem-solving as well as learning a variety of concepts. LEGO-based therapy can be used for goals targeting social skills, language and motor skills.
What does LEGO-based therapy involve?
During a LEGO-Based Therapy session, three or four children of similar ages and abilities work together to build a LEGO model. Depending on the number of children participating, there are four specific roles that are used in therapy.
- The Engineer oversees reading and relaying the instructions. The Engineer must tell the Supplier what pieces to retrieve and tell the Builder how to build the model.
- The Supplier oversees finding the correct LEGO pieces. The Supplier must listen to the Engineer and figure out what piece to retrieve, and then give these pieces to the Builder.
- The Builder oversees physically building the model. The Builder must listen to instructions provided by the Engineer and receive the pieces that are retrieved by the Supplier.
- The Foreman makes sure everyone is doing what they need to do. They provide help to other roles when needed and look out for social challenges that may need problem-solving by the group.
Using this format provides each child with an opportunity to practice and develop a wide range of skills, including language skills (in both giving and receiving instructions) turn-taking, negotiating, sharing and collaborative social problem-solving. It also encourages children to reflect on their own actions and skills as well as give constructive feedback to their peers.
Do you want to learn more about LEGO-based therapy?
For more information regarding LEGO-based therapy and the services that we can offer for children and young adults, please contact us, or give our team a call to discuss on 02 9328 3444.
