1. Lego Therapy Marjorie Newton Kim Graham

2. Aims of the workshop
To have a greater awareness of Lego therapy and its role in supporting social development in children and young people with ASD and related conditions.
To be equipped with the resources and information to start using Lego therapy in your school.

4. Why Lego therapy? Autism Spectrum Disorder
social communication difficulties
language difficulties
intrinsic motivation and reward
similar characteristics to social situations and work environments

5. What is Lego therapy?
uses Lego in a structured environment in which the children/young people have clearly defined roles
rules are formulated to dictate appropriate behavioural conduct
draws on shared interest in Lego to aid acquisition of social skills, development of perspective taking and sharing
increases interest in engaging with peers and building friendships
focus of the group is on the Lego, focus of the group leader is on social communication and the collaboration of the participants

7. Example of a mode of intervention
building with 3 pupils
engineer, supplier, builder
set-building
freestyle

8. Engineer holds and looks at the plans asks the Supplier for the pieces
gives the Builder instructions

9. Supplier keeps all of the pieces listens to the Engineer
gives the builder the right pieces

10. Builder takes the pieces from the Supplier listens to the Engineer
builds the pieces

11. Guidelines for setting up Lego clubs
Planning – liaison with staff and parents
Staff skills and awareness
Groupings
Timings
Resources

12. Choosing Resources
Choosing materials is integral part of the therapy -
participant selection structured and facilitated by staff
Consider the age ranges, number of pieces etc.
Duplo
Popular Lego Sets
Popular Lego themes
Lego Technic
Lego Mindstorms
Instructions available from

13. Lego Club Environment Permanent / temporary Motivating
Use of primary colours
Appropriate environment/distraction free
Rules displayed
Lego publications – posters, catalogues

14. Running the session Introduce / remind of rules
Vocabulary – brick descriptions
Role descriptions and assignments
Choosing materials
Building
Finishing the session
Compliments / evaluations

15. Vocabulary Introducing / assessing vocabulary
Preliminary games / activities
Concepts
- colour
- shape
- size
- same difference
- attributes
- features

16. Differentiation
Groupings
Resources
Language
Visual support

17. Target setting and evaluation Baseline – post intervention
Examples of targets;
build models with other children
initiate interaction with other children
respond positively to other children
take turns
follow the Lego Club rules
help other group members
use strategies for compromise and negotiation
use strategies for reconciliation
Evaluation
1-never
2-less than 50%
3- more than 50 %
4 most times
5-always

18. Evaluations See Appendix 1 Evaluations of pupil
Evaluations of facilitator

19. Behaviour Management and Rewards
Lego Club Level System
Lego Helper
Lego Builder
Lego Creator
Lego Master
Lego Genius
Points
Certificates

20. Top tips
Refer to ‘Lego Club’ not ‘Lego Therapy’ when talking with participants and parents.
Encourage participants to develop their own club rules.
Facilitate participation and interaction – be aware of participants who may be overwhelmed or anxious - consider make up of groups.
Consider how girls can be encouraged to participate. Let them show their talents and take leadership.
Consider the extent to which the adult acts as facilitator.
Keep in mind that it’s not about the Lego but social skills and communication development.
Highlight achievements – pictures, certificates, web-sites. Consider permissions and confidentiality.
Inform, involve and inspire parents.

21. Using the lego therapy approach
Other construction resources; Knex, Stickle
bricks, marble runs etc,
Mr Potato Head
Cooking – recipes
Gardening

23. Resources
Lego – Based Therapy How to build social competence through Lego-Based Clubs for children with autism and related conditions. Jessica Kingsley Publications
ISBN
Lego Digital Designer
(App or PC)