LEGO Therapy
Discover the benefits of LEGO Therapy for children with autism and developmental disorders. Learn how this playful approach fosters social competence.
Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.
What is LEGO Therapy?
LEGO, known for its popular plastic building-block toys, is more than just a fun activity for children. It can also be used as a form of play therapy called LEGO Therapy. This approach was developed by Daniel LeGoff, a US pediatric neuropsychologist, after he noticed that it encourages social skills interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during collaborative LEGO play.
Through this therapy, kids develop important social communication skills, such as taking turns, asking for help, and making eye contact. It is particularly helpful for autistic children but can also be used for those with other social communication difficulties. Additionally, this therapy aids in developing fine motor skills through activities like grasping and assembling LEGO pieces.
In 2006, LeGoff and Sherman’s study revealed that LEGO Therapy helped children with autism improve their social skills more than other non-LEGO therapies in a 3-year study. Factors like communication skills and verbal IQ were strong predictors of success, especially for those in LEGO Therapy.
To see if the therapy could be improved, a study using robot-mediated intervention was conducted to enhance play interactions between children with autism and their siblings. The study found no significant improvement (Huskens et al., 2014), suggesting that different approaches might be needed for better results.
How to use LEGO-based therapy
To use LEGO-based therapy, start by gathering a small group of children, usually around 3 to 4, working on improving their social skills. The group is guided by a trained facilitator who assigns each child a specific role:
- Builder: Assembles the LEGO pieces based on the instructions given by the engineer.
- Supplier: Finds and hands over the correct LEGO pieces to the builder as needed.
- Engineer: Reads the instructions and guides the builder on how to put the pieces together.
- Foreman: Ensures everyone works together.
The children work together to build a LEGO project, each child contributing to the task based on their role. Throughout the session, the facilitator encourages positive interactions, such as turn-taking, asking for help, and communicating clearly with one another. The facilitator may offer gentle guidance for each session to help the children stay on track and work together.
As the group progresses, they may tackle more chellenging projects, helping to develop their collaboration and problem-solving skills. The structured yet playful nature of LEGO Therapy makes it an engaging way for children to practice social interactions in a supportive environment. Regular sessions over several weeks or months can lead to noticeable improvements in social communication and teamwork skills.
Benefits of LEGO Therapy
LEGO Therapy is a creative way to support individuals with developmental disorders, particularly those on the autism spectrum. It has been shown to provide several benefits, such as the following:
Improves social skills
LEGO Therapy is a social skills intervention specifically beneficial for children with autism. It encourages interaction, communication, and cooperation among participants, helping them build essential social skills in a fun, engaging way.
A review revealed that LEGO-based therapy helps improve social and communication skills in children with ASD, with 14 out of 15 studies showing some positive effects (Lindsay et al., 2017). Similarly, LEGO-based therapy helped children with high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome improve social interaction skills more than the other groups, while both LEGO and social use of language program (SULP) therapies reduced negative behaviors better than no intervention (Owens et al., 2008).
Strengthens family relationships
Since this can be done at home, the therapy can also enhance family relationships by involving family members in LEGO-based activities. Parents and siblings can participate in building projects at home.
Enhances fine motor skills and cognitive development
The process of handling small LEGO bricks helps in the development of fine motor skills and cognitive abilities (Mandich & Rubin, 2023; Nicoletta Vegni et al., 2023). Participants learn to follow instructions, match shapes and colors, and improve their hand-eye coordination, which are critical skills for those with developmental challenges.
References
Huskens, B., Palmen, A., Van der Werff, M., Lourens, T., & Barakova, E. (2014). Improving collaborative play between children with autism spectrum disorders and their siblings: The effectiveness of a robot-mediated intervention based on LEGO® therapy. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(11), 3746–3755. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2326-0
LeGoff, D. B., & Sherman, M. (2006). Long-term outcome of social skills intervention based on interactive LEGO© play. Autism, 10(4), 317–329. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361306064403
Lindsay, S., Hounsell, K. G., & Cassiani, C. (2017). A scoping review of the role of LEGO ® therapy for improving inclusion and social skills among children and youth with autism. Disability and Health Journal, 10(2), 173–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.10.010
Mandich, Ij., & Rubin, B. B. (2023). Enhancing fine motor skills in children with mental disabilities through basic LEGO-based interventions. Law and Economics, 17(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.35335/laweco.v17i1.38
Vegni, N., D’Ardia, C., Di Filippo, G., & Melchiori, F.M. (2023). The impact of LEGO® therapy on cognitive skills in autism spectrum disorders: A brief discussion. AIMS Neuroscience, 10(2), 190–199. https://doi.org/10.3934/neuroscience.2023016
Owens, G., Granader, Y., Humphrey, A., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2008). LEGO ® therapy and the social use of language programme: An evaluation of two social skills interventions for children with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(10), 1944–1957. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0590-6
Commonly asked questions
LEGO-based therapy supports social development in children, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders. It facilitates communication, collaboration, and social skills through structured play.
LEGO Therapy sessions typically last about 50 to 60 minutes, and the duration of the social development program can vary, often running weekly depending on the group's needs.
To set up a LEGO Therapy group, gather a small group of children with similar social development goals, provide a variety of LEGO sets, and follow structured sessions guided by a trained LEGO Therapy practitioner to promote interaction and collaboration.
Yes, young adults can also benefit from playing LEGO. It helps them develop problem-solving skills, improve focus, and enhance social interactions in a fun way.
