LEGO®-Based Therapy

The best kind of therapy is when it's so much fun that the child doesn't know it's happening. LEGO(R)-Based Therapy fits that bill. The authors have left no stone unturned in developing a systematic social intervention. They provide a comprehensive, step-by-step program with documented improvements in social competence. -- Lynn Koegel, PhD, Clinical Director, Koegel Autism Center, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA Everyone loves LEGO(R) - including children on the autism spectrum. But did you know that through playing with LEGO(R) in a social setting you can draw out autistic children's hidden ability to cooperate with others? Here is a practical guide to making players come together and create together by the sheer magic of LEGO(R). -- Professor Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London A marvellous book that focuses on using a frequent interest as a way of access. It will be of interest to parents and educators alike. -- Fred R. Volkmar, MD, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology, and Director, Yale University Child Study Center, New Haven, CT LEGO(R) pieces can be used to construct models, but can also be used to construct social skills. LEGO(R)-based Clubs will become increasingly popular with children who have an Autism Spectrum Condition as an enjoyable social activity that is actually therapeutic. -- Tony Attwood, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Minds & Hearts Clinic, Australia, and author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome The book on LEGO-Based Therapy defines a particular therapeutic approach. It is a 'social development programme' according to its authors, and its aim is to provide a social development intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs). It is a 'collaborative therapy in which children work together to build LEGO models'... LEGO-Based Therapy teaches turn taking, sharing, making eye contact when needed and social rules adherence (using greetings)...Children are encouraged to swap roles and tasks and engage in intelligent conflict resolution and social problem solving with very little adult intervention. Action for Aspergers It goes on to give guidance on how to set up a group, the day to day running and resources, how to assess pupils suitability, assessing progress as well as the environment. The book contains templates to use to support your LEGO(R) groups as well as great tips... I found the book incredibly useful and more accessible than the LEGO(R) therapy manual. As county trainer it is a book I regularly recommend to all the schools I support in setting up LEGO(R) based interventions as their go to guide. -- Nicki Jennings, County Trainer SEBDA (Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties) This book is primarily a manual for those wishing to set up a LEGO-based club with comprehensive information and resources for each step. It also details research regarding LEGO building as a useful medium for social development... This book also makes interesting reading for anyone concerned with building social competence in children with autism and related conditions since it clearly demonstrates, both through research and anecdotal accounts, ways in which this can be achieved... -- Gemma Roxanne West, Student Play Therapist BAPT - Play Therapy