Lego Therapy Marjorie Newton Kim Graham

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 http://service.lego.com/en-us/buildinginstructions

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

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

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

Differentiation Groupings Resources Language Visual support

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

Evaluations See Appendix 1 Evaluations of pupil Evaluations of facilitator

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

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.

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

Resources Lego – Based Therapy How to build social competence through Lego-Based Clubs for children with autism and related conditions. Jessica Kingsley Publications ISBN 978-1-84905-537-6 www.legotherapy.com www.lego.co.uk www.bricks-for-autism.co.uk Lego Digital Designer (App or PC)