Lego-based therapy is a type of therapy that uses Lego bricks to help people, especially children, improve their social skills and communication abilities.
It’s like playing with Lego bricks while also learning important skills for interacting with others.
Here’s how is works:
1. Group play: Lego-based therapy usually takes place in a small group with a facilitator (adult). Each person in the group has a specific role: the Engineer (has the instructions), the Supplier (has the bricks), and the Builder (builds it).
2. Roles and teamwork: The Engineer has the building instructions, the Supplier gets the Lego bricks, and the Builder puts the pieces together to create something. Everyone works together as a team, taking turns and communicating with each other.
3. Communication skills: During the Lego building process, participants learn to communicate their ideas, ask for specific bricks they need, and give clear instructions to their team members. It’s like learning how to express themselves and listen to others effectively.
4. Problem-solving: Sometimes, the Lego models can be challenging to build. Participants learn how to work together to solve problems, make decisions, and find creative solutions. It’s like using their problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles.
5. Sharing and co-operation: Lego-based therapy teaches participants about sharing and co-operating with others. They learn to take turns, share resources, and work towards a common goal. It’s like understanding the importance of teamwork and being considerate of others.
The goal of Lego-based therapy is to improve social interactions, collaboration, and communication skills in a fun and engaging way. By playing with Lego bricks and working together as a team, participants can develop important skills that can be applied in various aspects of their lives.
Interested in Learning This?
Then take a look at our neurodivergent affirming Lego-based Therapy Training. (click here for dates)
Learning Objectives:
- What is Lego Therapy and why is it an effective intervention for social and emotional development?
- What research backs this up?
- Looking at the Learning Pyramid, what considerations are there when running this intervention?
- What assessments could we use as a baseline score? #sdq #rosenburg
- What assessments could be used in-sessions to monitor progress?
- What would the starter, main, and plenary look like?
- What resources are needed and what do they look like?
- SEMH student case study examples
Resources
📊 Baseline Assessments: Lego-Style Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, In-Session Assessments, Pro-Social Skills for Individuals and Groups
📝 Job Roles/Posters and Cards
📜 Behavioural Expectation Rule Posters and Cards
🧩 Free Play Lego Construction Idea Cards
🎭 Emotional Regulation Aids: Lego-Style Emotional Dial, Bounce Emotional Scale – Strips + Fans, and Lego-Style Scale
🤝 Co-Regulation Prompt Cards to support dysregulated children
📅 Session Outline – including visuals
✍️ Parent or Carer Consent Template Letter
🏆 Lego-Based Reward Certificates
🗣️ Speech and Language Visual Aids – including instruction guides and concept mats
🧱 Brick Names
If you are looking to run multiple Lego-based Therapy Interventions across the school, please purchase the School Pack.
Google Reviews
Tracey is great! I have attended many of her trainings and all of them have been super, in fact I have more booked on the horizon. I have gained so much knowledge in such a short space of time and looking forward to gaining more! You will not be disappointed. I will also add – the resources you receive after the trainings are really helpful and a-m-a-z-i-n-g!! Natasha Scullion
Running a Lego-Based Therapy Intervention training was excellent. So much great advice and the ability to ask questions live and receive detailed helpful answers. Brilliant for practitioners starting out and wondering where to begin – lots of links to support resources as well. Highly recommended! Ailsa Boot
Tracy is incredibly passionate about her work and this showed through the live Lego Therapy intervention training and help and support both before and after the live session. I found the intervention training really useful and can apply it straight to my setting. I won’t hesitate to do further training with her. Mikylla Elshof
Sources:
- Lego Therapy: Building Social Skills for Adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. This study, published in the journal British Psychological Society in 2013, found that LEGO therapy can be an effective intervention for improving social skills in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study involved 6 adolescent males with ASD who participated in 12 weekly LEGO therapy sessions. The results showed that the participants improved their social skills, such as turn-taking, sharing, and conversation.
- The Use of Lego Therapy to Improve Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study. This study, published in the journal Autism in 2016, found that LEGO therapy can be an effective intervention for improving social skills in children with ASD. The study involved 10 children with ASD who participated in 10 weekly LEGO therapy sessions. The results showed that the participants improved their social skills, such as turn-taking, sharing, and conversation.
- Lego Therapy: A Creative Approach to Building Social Skills. This article, published in the journal Early Childhood Education Journal in 2017, provides an overview of LEGO therapy and its potential benefits for children with social skills challenges. The article discusses how LEGO therapy can help children to develop social skills such as turn-taking, sharing, and cooperation.
- The Effectiveness of Lego Therapy for Children with Social Skills Difficulties: A Systematic Review. This study, published in the journal Child and Adolescent Mental Health in 2022, found that LEGO therapy can be an effective intervention for improving social skills in children with social skills difficulties. The study reviewed 13 studies that included a total of 353 participants. The studies found that LEGO therapy was effective in improving social skills, such as turn-taking, sharing, and conversation.
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